Medical Loading Tool Snap-Fit Stent Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in interventional aortic valve implantation is the risk of stent damage or breakage due to excessive or uneven compression, leading to deformation and impaired function during loading, which complicates the surgical procedure and increases surgical risk.
Innovation Solution
A loading tool with snap-in fits between the guide cover and guide base limits radial and axial displacement, as well as circumferential rotation, to stabilize the stent during compression, preventing twisting and slanting, and facilitating efficient loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stent is compressed to a small diameter for loading into the catheter, then the implantation becomes minimally invasive, but the stent is prone to damage or breakage due to excessive or uneven compression
Solution Approach 1:
The compression process is divided into two distinct stages: initial compression using the guide cover and guide base assembly, followed by final compression using the inner lumen of the guide base. This segmentation allows progressive compression that prevents excessive force application at any single stage, thereby protecting stent integrity while achieving the required small diameter for catheter loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide cover and guide base are engaged beforehand to perform the initial compression of the stent before the guide cover is disengaged. This preliminary compression action prepares the stent for subsequent final compression, distributing the compression load evenly and preventing sudden excessive compression that could cause stent damage.
2Productivity
If conventional loading tools are used for initial compression, then the stent can be compressed, but the stent may twist or slant resulting in deformation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide cover and guide base are designed to engage and work together as a unified assembly during initial compression. This merging of components ensures that compression forces are applied uniformly and coaxially to the stent, preventing twisting or slanting that would occur with separate or misaligned compression tools, while maintaining efficient compression.
3Productivity
If the guide cover is disengaged from the guide base after initial compression, then the stent can be further compressed, but the guide cover and guide base may have radial or axial displacement causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-in fits act as intermediary coupling elements between the guide cover and guide base. These snap-in fits allow the guide cover to be easily engaged and disengaged from the guide base while maintaining stable coaxial alignment during both the initial compression phase and the subsequent final compression phase, providing both flexibility and stability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A loading tool for an implant (9) and a medical device. The loading tool for the implant (9) comprises a guide cover (1) and a guide base (2), one of the two is provided with a first snap-fit portion (17) and a second snap-fit portion (12), and the other is provided with a first snap-fit base (22) and a second snap-fit base (24); the first snap-fit portion (17) is in matching snap-fitting with the first snap-fit base (22), that is, defining radial displacement and axial displacement of the guide cover (1) and the guide base (2), so that the guide cover (1) and the guide base (2) are in a coaxial stable state, so as to facilitate sleeving a conical head (54) of a conveying device (5) to facilitate the compression of the implant (9); furthermore, the second snap-fit portion (12) is in matching snap-fitting with the second snap-fit base (24), so as to define the radial displacement, the axial displacement, and circumferential rotation of the guide cover (1) and the guide base (2); the guide cover (1) and the guide base (2) are in a relatively fixed state, and the implant (9) can be prevented from twisting, tilting, or abrasion during compression. In addition, the guide cover (1) and the guide base (2) are connected by means of matching snap-fitting of the snap-fit portions (17, 22) and the snap-fit bases (22, 24), the operation is convenient, and the load efficiency of the implant (9) is improved.