Mechanical Constrictor for Embolic Device Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular occlusion device deployment systems face challenges with accuracy, risk of device migration, contamination from melted adhesives, electromagnetic interference, and reliance on electrical equipment, which complicates procedures and increases patient risk.
Innovation Solution
A deployment system using a flexible pusher with a coupling member featuring a constrictor that securely engages and releases embolic devices without electrical components, allowing for precise control and easy navigation through the vasculature, utilizing a mechanical mechanism to grasp and release the embolic device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat releasable adhesive is used to attach the embolic coil to the connector device, then the embolic coil can be released by melting the adhesive, but the melted adhesive may contaminate the blood stream
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful adhesive substance is completely removed from the system. Instead of using adhesive to attach the embolic coil to the connector device, the patent employs a mechanical attachment mechanism where the coil is secured by friction fit or mechanical interlocking features, eliminating the risk of adhesive contamination in the bloodstream while maintaining reliable attachment and release capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal release mechanism using heat-melted adhesive is replaced with a mechanical release system. The embolic coil is attached through mechanical means such as friction fit, snap-fit, or interlocking features between the coil and connector device, allowing for controlled release through mechanical action rather than thermal melting, thus eliminating adhesive contamination
2Reliability
If electrical wires are run through the pusher member to power the resistance heating coil, then the heating coil can break the connector fiber, but multiple wires increase device complexity and electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical heating system with multiple wires is replaced with a purely mechanical system. The connector fiber is broken through mechanical action such as friction, compression, or shear forces applied by the pusher member or a mechanical cutting element, eliminating the need for electrical wires and associated electromagnetic interference while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical components (wires, power source, heating coil) are completely extracted from the device. The connector fiber breaking function is achieved through mechanical means integrated into the pusher member or delivery system, simplifying the overall device architecture by removing the electrical subsystem
3Reliability
If the proximal end portion of the constrictor is movable relative to the distal end portion to constrict the constrictor, then the embolic device can be securely engaged, but the mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The constrictor mechanism is integrated into the pusher member or delivery catheter structure, combining multiple functions into a single unified component. The movable proximal end portion is incorporated as part of the existing delivery system architecture, allowing secure engagement of the embolic device without adding separate complex mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A vascular occlusion device deployment system for deploying an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system includes a pusher which has a constrictor located at the distal end portion of the pusher. The constrictor has a channel which receives a portion of the occlusion device. The constrictor has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion wherein the proximal end portion can be moved relative to the distal end portion to reduce the size of the channel. When the channel size is reduced, the constrictor grasps the portion of the occlusion device located within the channel. When it is desired to deploy the coil, the constrictor is moved in the opposite direction to increase the size of the channel and release the coil's grasp of the occlusion device.