Modular Aortic Arch Stent-Graft with Nested Branch Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent-graft systems for treating aortic aneurysms face challenges in maintaining blood flow to branch vessels due to inadequate sealing and alignment issues, particularly in the aortic arch where anatomical variations complicate the deployment of modular components, leading to potential leaks and reduced patient applicability.
Innovation Solution
A modular aortic arch prosthetic assembly comprising a proximal and distal aortic stent-graft prosthesis, along with first and second branch stent-grafts, is designed to be positioned and expanded within the aortic arch, with couplings that allow for adjustable overlap and alignment to ensure effective sealing and perfusion of branch vessels, accommodating varying patient anatomies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stent-graft is deployed to seal the aneurysmal portion, then the aneurysm is excluded from blood flow, but critical branch arteries may be covered or occluded
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft is divided into multiple segments including a main body portion and separate branch portions that can be independently positioned. Each segment can be selectively deployed to seal specific aneurysmal segments while preserving branch vessel openings, allowing the device to adapt to different anatomical configurations with 2-4 branch vessels
Solution Approach 2:
Branch openings act as intermediaries between the main stent-graft body and the branch vessels. These openings can be selectively fenestrated or closed based on the patient's anatomy, serving as mediators that allow blood flow to critical branches while maintaining the seal against the aneurysmal portion
2Reliability
If the stent-graft extends across the branch artery origin to ensure sealing, then the aneurysm is effectively sealed, but blood flow to the branch artery is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft exhibits local quality variations where the main body portion provides continuous sealing coverage while specific localized regions contain fenestrations or openings aligned with branch vessel origins. This allows the device to maintain high seal integrity in most areas while creating localized flow paths to preserve branch artery perfusion
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular stent-graft system is used to accommodate anatomical variations, then patient applicability is improved, but alignment and sealing between modules become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The modular stent-graft components are designed with nested coupling mechanisms where smaller modules can be positioned within or between larger modules. This nesting arrangement provides inherent alignment guidance and reduces the precision requirements for module assembly, as each module naturally guides the placement of adjacent modules through the nested structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A prosthetic assembly configured for endovascular placement within an aortic arch and method of use thereof. The prosthetic assembly includes a proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a proximal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the brachiocephalic artery, a distal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a distal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the left subclavian artery, a first branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within the brachiocephalic artery and a second branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned in one of the left common carotid and the left subclavian artery. When deployed, a proximal end of the first branch stent-graft prosthesis is disposed within a lumen of the proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis to proximally displace the ostium of the brachiocephalic artery. When deployed, a proximal end of the distal aortic stent- graft prosthesis is disposed within the distal end of the proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis to form an overlap between the proximal and distal aortic stent-graft prostheses. The overlap is relatively increased by the first branch stent-graft prosthesis proximally displacing the ostium of the brachiocephalic artery.