Magnetically-Regenerative Stent with Thermo-Responsive Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stents used in body lumens face occlusion issues due to local factors such as inadequate stricture resolution and irregular bile properties, leading to reduced efficacy and operational lifetime, often requiring surgical intervention for correction.
Innovation Solution
A stent design featuring a thermo-responsive layer with magnetic nanoparticles that liquifies in response to an applied magnetic field, allowing for non-invasive decoupling and removal of occluding materials, maintaining patency without surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional stent is used to maintain body lumen patency, then the stent provides structural support, but it becomes occluded over time due to biofilm formation and material interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by incorporating a thermo-responsive layer with magnetic nanoparticles that change state in response to magnetic field application. This allows the stent to transition from a static structure to a dynamically adjustable system where the thermo-responsive layer can be activated to remove occluding materials, thereby extending operational lifetime and maintaining patency without requiring surgical intervention.
2Ease of repair
If occlusion occurs in the stent, then surgical intervention is required for correction, but this increases complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the stent to correct its own occlusion through a magnetically-activated thermo-responsive layer. When occlusion occurs, magnetic nanoparticles in the thermo-responsive layer respond to an external magnetic field, generating heat that liquefies the layer and facilitates removal of occluding materials. This self-correcting mechanism eliminates the need for complex surgical interventions, reducing both procedural complexity and overall treatment cost.
3Ease of operation
If a polymer coating is applied to the stent surface, then it reduces friction and improves biocompatibility, but it may contribute to occlusion through coating tackiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary solution by placing a thermo-responsive layer with magnetic nanoparticles between the polymer coating and the occluding materials. This intermediary layer can be magnetically activated to liquefy and remove biofilms and occluding substances, thereby preserving the biocompatibility benefits of the polymer coating while preventing the harmful effect of coating tackiness contributing to occlusion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The stent effectively prevents occlusion by allowing non-invasive restoration of patency through magnetic-induced liquification of the thermo-responsive layer, extending its operational life and reducing intervention costs.
Implementation Method 1
In response to an applied magnetic field, the magnetic nanoparticles are configured to be excited to an elevated temperature
Implementation Method 2
the thermo-responsive layer is configured with a critical solution temperature or a melting point in the range from 42 degrees Celsius to 58 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 3
the thermo-responsive layer is configured to liquify and mechanically decouple from a remaining portion of the thermo-responsive layer, the polymer coating, or both
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative stent includes an elongated tubular member forming a tubular wall, the elongated tubular member configured to move between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. A polymer coating may be disposed on a surface of the tubular wall. A thermo-responsive layer may be disposed on an inner surface of the polymer coating. Magnetic nanoparticles may be disposed on or within the thermo-responsive layer.