Left Atrial Appendage Occluder with Flexible Nitinol Struts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current left atrial appendage occluders fail to achieve stable fixation and complete blood flow blockage due to limited deformability, anatomical shape mismatch, and difficulties in repeated positioning, leading to increased thrombus formation and surgical risks.
Innovation Solution
A left atrial appendage occluder featuring an elastic closure disc with a fixing frame comprising interconnected and bent struts, a flexible connection structure, and anchors that can adjust to different depths, made from nickel titanium alloy for enhanced flexibility and stability, allowing for secure anchoring and repeated positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional left atrial appendage occluder is used, then the device can be implanted to block blood flow, but the device cannot achieve stable fixation and complete blood flow blockage due to limited deformability and anatomical shape mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The occluder employs a dynamic structure with flexible struts that can bend and adapt to the anatomical shape of the left atrial appendage. The struts are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing the device to conform to varying anatomical geometries while maintaining stable fixation through controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The occluder utilizes a flexible membrane or thin film structure that can deform to match the anatomical contours of the left atrial appendage. This flexible structure allows the device to adapt to different anatomical shapes while maintaining effective blood flow blockage and stable fixation.
2Reliability
If the device structure is made rigid for stable fixation, then fixation stability improves, but the device cannot be delivered through smaller sheath canals and repeated positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic, flexible struts that can bend during delivery through catheters and sheath canals, then maintain stable fixation once deployed. The flexibility allows the device to navigate through small access pathways while achieving reliable anchoring in the target location.
Solution Approach 2:
The occluder is designed with a nested structure where the flexible struts and membrane can be collapsed or folded within a delivery catheter. This nesting capability allows the device to be delivered through small sheath canals and then expanded to achieve stable fixation, enabling repeated positioning if needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the occluder uses a fixed structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but the device cannot adapt to various anatomical shapes and sizes of left atrial appendage
Solution Approach 1:
The occluder utilizes a flexible membrane structure that can be manufactured relatively simply but provides excellent adaptability to various anatomical shapes. The flexibility of the thin film allows it to conform to different geometries without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs struts with variable flexibility parameters, where different sections of the struts have different bend radii or flexibility characteristics. This allows the device to adapt to various anatomical shapes while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process by using standardized flexible components.
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 occluder provides stable fixation and complete blood flow blockage across various anatomical shapes and sizes, facilitating repeated positioning and reducing surgical risks and thrombus formation, while being adaptable to smaller sheath canals for minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
made from nickel titanium alloy for enhanced flexibility and stability
Implementation Method 2
at least one anchor is set near the end of at least one strut with the anchor pointing toward the closure disc
Data Source
AI summary
A left atrial appendage occluder comprises an elastic closure disc, and a supporting structure connecting with the closure disc and being located on one side of the closure disc, with the supporting structure comprising a central end connecting with the closure disc and a plurality of interconnected and bent struts, wherein at least one anchoring thorn is set near the end of at least one strut with the anchoring thorn toward the closure disc. The left atrial appendage occluder has a stable structure, a good positioning and sealing effect on the cavity wall in the left atrial appendage, and it is easy to position repeatedly; it can also be recycled before separating from a conveyor. When in surgical operation, the left atrial appendage occluder can select the position area based on the actual shape and size of the patient's left atrial appendage, so the surgical risk is lowered.