Modular Braiding Mandrel for Patient-Specific Stent Contours
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing patient-specific stents require high-quality imaging devices and complex equipment, leading to logistical challenges and increased time and cost, making them inaccessible in settings without such resources.
Innovation Solution
A modular braiding system using multiple braiding sleeves with varying outer contours and lengths, combined with a base carrier, allows for the creation of a braiding mandrel that closely matches the blood vessel contour, enabling rapid and cost-effective production of patient-specific stents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-quality imaging devices and complex equipment are used to produce patient-specific stents, then manufacturing precision and vessel contour matching are improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The braiding tool is segmented into multiple interchangeable braiding sleeves that can be combined in different sequences. Each sleeve corresponds to a specific vessel segment, allowing the tool to be adapted to different vessel contours without requiring complex imaging and customization equipment. The sleeves are designed with standardized connection interfaces that enable simple assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The set of braiding sleeves is designed to be universal, where a single collection of sleeves can be used to create multiple different braiding tool configurations for various vessel types. The sleeves can be combined in different sequences and combinations to match different vessel contours, making the system versatile without requiring custom-made tools for each patient.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-quality imaging devices and complex equipment are used to produce patient-specific stents, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The braiding sleeves are pre-manufactured with specific geometric profiles that correspond to standard vessel segments. By having these components prepared in advance as a standardized set, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming custom tool manufacturing for each patient. The sleeves can be quickly assembled in the required sequence based on the vessel characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves vessel contour matching by changing the configuration parameters of the braiding tool - specifically, by selecting and arranging different braiding sleeves from the set in various sequences. This allows adaptation to different vessel geometries through simple reconfiguration rather than complete tool redesign, significantly reducing production time.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-quality imaging devices and complex equipment are used to produce patient-specific stents, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating completely custom braiding tools for each patient using expensive imaging and manufacturing equipment, the system uses a set of standardized braiding sleeves that can be copied and reused across multiple patients. The same sleeve set serves multiple patients with different vessel geometries, significantly reducing per-patient production costs while maintaining adequate contour matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The braiding sleeves are designed as relatively simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and replaced. Rather than investing in expensive, complex custom tooling, the system uses affordable standardized sleeves that can be quickly produced and discarded or reused, reducing overall manufacturing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a system for braiding a patient-specific adapted stent. The system includes at least one set with multiple braiding sleeves and a base carrier for receiving at least two braiding sleeves of the set, wherein the braiding sleeves each have an inner contour adapted to the outer contour of the base carrier, so that multiple braiding sleeves can be arranged in any order on the base carrier, in particular slid in any order onto the base carrier, to form a braiding mandrel, and wherein at least two braiding sleeves of the set have different outer contours from each another. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for braiding a patient-specific adapted stent.