Mixed-Frame Intraluminal Prosthesis for Portal Vein Patency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portal hypertension causes blood flow-restricting blockages in the liver, leading to elevated pressure and potential rupture, which can result in serious bleeding and fluid buildup, for which existing treatments are inadequate.

Innovation Solution

An intraluminal prosthesis with a mixed frame structure comprising annular members and terminal frames, connected by a tubular graft, designed to expand and maintain flexibility, featuring tantalum keys for radiographic identification and a flexible coupling to prevent tissue ingrowth, ensuring patency and stability in the portal vein.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid frame structure is used to maintain prosthesis shape and stability, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and ability to conform to vessel walls deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple separate annular members (first annular member, second annular member, etc.) that are spaced apart longitudinally rather than forming a continuous rigid structure. This segmentation allows each annular member to independently conform to the vessel wall while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible tubular graft is positioned between the separated annular members to provide flexibility and allow the prosthesis to conform to the curved surface of the vessel wall. The graft acts as a flexible connector that maintains structural support while enabling adaptation to the vessel's geometry, thus resolving the rigidity-flexibility contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If annular members are closely spaced to provide continuous support, then structural stability is improved, but tissue ingrowth between members is facilitated which reduces flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis structure transitions from continuous support to localized support at specific annular member positions. By spacing the annular members apart rather than providing continuous support, the design prevents tissue ingrowth in the gaps between members, thereby maintaining flexibility while still providing adequate structural stability at the keyed positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Radiopaque keys are attached to the annular members to provide radiographic visibility. These keys serve as markers that allow visualization of the prosthesis position and structure through imaging, enabling assessment of placement without requiring continuous structural material throughout the entire length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If the prosthesis is designed to be radiographically visible for precise placement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiographic visibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Radiopaque keys are extracted as separate, discrete components that are attached to the annular members rather than integrating radiopacity throughout the entire prosthesis structure. This extraction approach provides the necessary radiographic visibility for precise placement while minimizing the addition of complex materials and structures to the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Strength

If the uncoupled end portion has a larger diameter to prevent vessel collapse, then structural strength is improved, but it may interfere with blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollapse preventionVSAvoidblood flow restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The uncoupled end portion is designed with a larger diameter that dynamically prevents vessel collapse while the flexible tubular graft and spaced annular members allow the structure to adapt to the vessel's natural geometry and blood flow patterns. This dynamic design provides collapse prevention without creating fixed obstructions that would restrict blood flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12521225B2Mixed-frame intraluminal prosthesis and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

An intraluminal prosthesis (100) and methods thereof for treating at least portal hypertension. The intraluminal prosthesis (100) includes a mixed frame of a main frame (110) and a terminal frame (120), as well as a tubular graft (130) over at least the main frame (110). The main frame (110) includes a plurality of annular members (112). Each annular member (112) includes a plurality of diamond-shaped cells (114). The terminal frame (120) includes woven struts (122). The terminal frame (120) includes a coupled end (124) coupled to at least one of a first-end annular member (112a) or a second-end annular member (112b) respectively at a first end (110a) or a second end (110b) of the main frame (110). The tubular graft (130) extends from the first-end annular member (112a) to the second-end annular member (112b). The intraluminal prosthesis (100) includes an insertion state for inserting the intraluminal prosthesis (100) and an expanded state for use of the intraluminal prosthesis (100) is in use.