Modular Stent System with Mirror-Image Bifurcated Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stent-graft technologies face challenges in effectively bypassing diseased regions of the aorta while ensuring perfusion of critical branch arteries, as they often struggle to avoid occluding these arteries while sealing against the aorta wall.
Innovation Solution
A modular stent device system is deployed via supra-aortic access, featuring a base or anchor component with additional modular stent devices attached to exclude diseased aorta areas. This system includes bifurcated implants with mirror-image configurations and a bridging stent graft to maintain blood flow through critical arteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stent-graft is placed to seal against the aorta wall and bypass diseased portions, then the diseased region is effectively excluded from blood flow, but critical branch arteries may be covered or occluded by the stent-graft
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft is divided into multiple modular segments including a main body, bypass gates, and artery legs. Each segment can be independently positioned and configured to navigate around branch arteries while maintaining the seal against the aorta wall. The bypass gates specifically allow blood flow to be redirected through alternative paths that avoid occluding critical branch arteries.
Solution Approach 2:
Bypass gates serve as intermediary structures that mediate between the main aortic flow and branch arteries. These gates provide alternative flow paths that allow blood to reach branch arteries without being directly occluded by the stent-graft, thus maintaining both sealing effectiveness and branch artery patency.
2Device complexity
If a single stent-graft is used to bypass the diseased aorta, then the structure remains simple, but it becomes difficult to simultaneously exclude diseased portions and preserve flow to multiple branch arteries
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft is divided into multiple modular segments including a main body, bypass gates, and artery legs. Each segment can be independently positioned and configured to navigate around branch arteries while maintaining the seal against the aorta wall. The bypass gates specifically allow blood flow to be redirected through alternative paths that avoid occluding critical branch arteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular stent-graft design provides multi-functionality by incorporating both sealing capabilities and branch artery preservation features within a single system. The device can adapt to different anatomical configurations and disease locations while maintaining its core functions of exclusion and perfusion.
3Reliability
If the stent-graft is designed to seal against the aorta wall, then effective exclusion of diseased portions is achieved, but the risk of covering critical branch arteries increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the stent-graft have different local qualities and functions. The main body is designed for sealing against the aorta wall to exclude diseased portions, while bypass gates and artery legs are specifically configured to navigate around and preserve branch arteries. Each segment's structure and properties are optimized for its specific function within the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of deploying a vessel assembly. The method includes deploying a first bifurcated stent device. The method also includes deploying a second bifurcated stent device mirroring the first bifurcated stent device. The method further includes deploying a tube graft bridging the first bifurcated stent device and the second bifurcated stent device.