Modular Vascular Graft Segmentation for Low Profile Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endovascular devices for treating aneurysms often have large transverse profiles and excessive lateral stiffness, making them difficult to deploy and requiring a large inventory of stent grafts in various sizes to accommodate different patient anatomies.
Innovation Solution
A modular endovascular graft assembly with a bifurcated main graft member made from supple graft material, featuring inflatable channels for structural rigidity, self-expanding stent portions, and adaptable graft extensions to accommodate a wide range of patient anatomies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing endovascular devices are used, then aneurysm treatment is achieved, but the devices have large transverse profiles and excessive lateral stiffness making deployment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The stent graft is divided into multiple modular segments that can be connected together. Each segment has a reduced transverse profile for easier delivery, and they assemble into the final configuration at the deployment site, resolving the contradiction between small delivery profile and adequate final size.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates shape-memory materials that allow the stent graft to dynamically change its shape from a compressed low-profile state during delivery to an expanded functional state at the deployment site, enabling easy passage through catheters while maintaining adequate structural dimensions for treatment.
2Ease of operation
If existing endovascular devices are used, then aneurysm treatment is achieved, but the devices have excessive lateral stiffness complicating the delivery process
Solution Approach 1:
The stent graft uses shape-memory materials that provide temporary flexibility during delivery and then transition to provide necessary lateral stiffness and structural support after deployment, resolving the contradiction between ease of delivery and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its mechanical parameters (stiffness, flexibility) through temperature- or stress-induced phase transitions in shape-memory materials, being flexible during delivery and stiff during deployment and function, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of delivery and structural strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large inventory of stent grafts in various sizes is maintained, then different patient anatomies can be accommodated, but the complexity and cost of inventory management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent graft system is segmented into standardized modular units that can be combined in different configurations and lengths to accommodate various patient anatomies, eliminating the need to maintain inventories of many different sized complete grafts while maintaining adaptability to diverse anatomical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular segments are designed with universal connection interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow the same basic components to serve multiple functions and be configured for different patient sizes and anatomical variations, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular system allows for safe and reliable deployment of stent grafts through a flexible, low-profile delivery system, reducing the need for a large inventory of stent grafts and improving accessibility for patients with varied anatomies.
Implementation Method 1
two serpentine-shaped wires made from a shape memory alloy such as nitinol
Implementation Method 2
self-expanding stent portions
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid modular endovascular graft wherein a main graft is sized to span at least a portion of a target vessel lesion in a large percentage of patients. Graft extensions may be secured to the main graft to extend the main graft and provide a sealing function for some applications.