Multi-Axis Curl Self-Expanding Implant Using Shape Memory Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical devices require larger incisions for implantation, increasing surgical risk and post-operative infection and pain, necessitating a minimally invasive solution that can expand to a larger surface area after implantation.
Innovation Solution
A shape memory material-based implant with a multi-axis curl self-expanding structure that transitions from a small size to a larger area upon constraint release, temperature change, light illumination, electromagnetic irradiation, or chemical induction, incorporating a functional module such as a wireless energy transfer unit and a biodegradable constraint unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional implantable medical device is implanted, then the device can perform its function, but a relatively larger incision is required which increases surgical risk and post-operative complications
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device is divided into multiple independent curling portions (first curling portion, second curling portion, etc.) that can expand independently along different curling axes. This segmentation allows the device to be compressed into a small implantable form while expanding to a large functional area, reducing the required incision size while maintaining device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes a nested expansion mechanism where the multiple curling portions are arranged to nest within each other in the compressed state, allowing the entire device to fit through a small incision. After implantation, the curling portions expand outward in a controlled sequence to achieve the full functional area without requiring a large incision
2Area of stationary object
If the implant is made to expand to a larger area after implantation, then the functional area is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic shape memory materials that can autonomously change shape in response to physiological stimuli such as temperature changes or pH variations. This dynamic property eliminates the need for complex external actuation mechanisms, allowing the device to expand from a compressed to an expanded state automatically after implantation, thereby increasing functional area without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes shape memory materials whose physical properties (such as phase transition temperature or crystal structure) change in response to specific parameters like temperature or pH. By designing the device to respond to naturally occurring physiological parameter changes, the expansion mechanism becomes passive and self-regulating, reducing the need for complex control systems while achieving the desired area expansion
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
Enables minimally invasive implantation with reduced surgical risk and post-operative complications by expanding to a larger area post-implantation, facilitating effective deployment of functional modules like sensors and energy collectors while maintaining biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
Based on the elasticity and/or memory effect of the shape memory material, the self-expanding structure is a small size structure before being implanted and would be caused to expand to be a large size structure
Implementation Method 2
Based on the elasticity and/or memory effect of the shape memory material, the self-expanding structure is a small size structure before being implanted
Implementation Method 3
the implant further comprises a constraint unit configured to keep the implant in the first shape
Implementation Method 4
the wireless energy transfer unit is selected from photovoltaic cell array, piezoelectric electric generator, friction electric generator, thermoelectric electric generator, electromagnetic electric generator, and vibration electric generator
Data Source
AI summary
A shape memory material-based minimally invasive implantation with multi-axis curl self-expanding structure, and an implant having said structure: the implant comprises an actuating member, and the implant has a first shape and a second shape, the second shape having a larger area than that of the first shape; the implant is provided with a plurality of curling portions, and the actuating member may cause a curling portion to expand along a curling axis thereof, thereby transforming the implant from the first shape to the second shape. Different self-expanding structures may be designed by using the elasticity and memory effect of shape memory materials. Deploying functional modules, such as a circuit, a battery, a sensor, an energy collector and the like, on the structures may achieve more functions.