Multiple-Inflation Endovascular Device With Retractable Treatment Cover

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drug-coated endovascular medical devices are configured for a single treatment via a single inflation of an expandable member with a single uniform functional surface, requiring invasive procedures for each treatment and limiting multiple treatments at a therapeutic site.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a catheter and an expandable member featuring a longitudinally movable cover, segmented into multiple regions, allows for repeated inflations and treatments by retracting the cover into a lumen, enabling multiple therapeutic agent coatings and functional surfaces without withdrawal from the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single uniform functional surface is used on the expandable member, then the device structure is simple, but only a single treatment can be provided requiring device withdrawal for multiple treatments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of treatments per device insertionVSAvoidcover structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented into multiple regions along its longitudinal axis, with each region having a different functional surface or therapeutic agent coating. This allows the expandable member to provide multiple different treatments during repeated inflations without requiring device withdrawal, resolving the contradiction between treatment versatility and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is made longitudinally movable relative to the expandable member, allowing it to be repositioned between different functional regions during the treatment process. This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt to different treatment requirements while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through controlled movement rather than fixed complex arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cover is made longitudinally movable to enable multiple treatments, then multiple therapeutic agents can be delivered, but the device operation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic agent varietyVSAvoidcover retraction operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the cover, automating the retraction and positioning of the cover along the longitudinal axis. This mediator simplifies the operation by providing controlled, precise movement of the cover to expose different functional regions, reducing the operational complexity despite the enhanced therapeutic versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover retraction mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the device structure, with the actuator integrated into the expandable member assembly. The system performs its own cover positioning function without requiring external manual manipulation, making the multi-therapeutic-agent delivery operationally simpler despite the increased adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If repeated inflations are performed with the same expandable member, then invasive procedures are reduced, but ensuring consistent treatment quality across multiple inflations becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of treatments per procedureVSAvoidtreatment consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cover are designed with specific functional surfaces or therapeutic agent coatings tailored to particular treatment requirements. This local quality differentiation ensures that each inflation cycle can deliver a consistent, predetermined treatment type, maintaining treatment reliability and quality consistency across multiple inflations while increasing overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is pre-configured with multiple functional regions and therapeutic agent coatings before the treatment procedure begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that when repeated inflations are performed, each functional region is already optimized for its specific treatment purpose, guaranteeing consistent treatment quality across all inflation cycles without requiring adjustments during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12440216B2Multiple inflation endovascular medical device

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

A medical device may include a catheter, an expandable member, a cover, and an actuator. The catheter may include a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends, and a cover lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end. The expandable member may include proximal and distal ends and may be disposed on a distal section of the catheter. The cover may include a first region that may be disposed along the expandable member, and a second region that may extend along a length of the catheter beyond the proximal end of the expandable member towards the proximal end of the catheter. A first end of the cover may invert into the cover lumen. The actuator may be coupled to the first end of the cover and configured to move the first end of the cover towards the proximal end of the catheter along the longitudinal axis of the catheter.