Occluder Locking Mechanism for Heart Defect Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occluders for congenital heart defects often suffer from shape memory metal fatigue and polymer material inelasticity, leading to insufficient contraction force and unreliable fitting at the defect site, necessitating an effective restraining structure to maintain occlusion stability.
Innovation Solution
The occluder features a meshed occlusion body with a locking mechanism comprising a locking member and stopping members, where the stopping members are elastic and slightly larger than the locking hole, allowing for reversible deformation to secure the occlusion units, ensuring consistent waist height and reliable occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If shape memory metals are used for occlusion units, then elasticity and contraction force are improved, but fatigue failure occurs in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from shape memory metal to polymer material, accepting reduced elasticity in exchange for improved fatigue resistance and reliability in the occlusion units
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary structure that compensates for the low elasticity of polymer materials by providing external restraining force to maintain the distance between occlusion units
2Reliability
If polymer materials are used for occlusion units, then fatigue resistance is improved, but elasticity and contraction force are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism serves as a mediator that provides the necessary restraining force to compensate for the low contraction force of polymer materials, maintaining stable distance between occlusion units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining polymer occlusion units with a locking mechanism, integrating the fatigue resistance of polymers with the mechanical strength of the locking structure
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to maintain occlusion stability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into modular components including locking legs, locking holes, and stopping members, allowing independent function and simplified manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-locking through the interaction of locking legs with locking holes and stopping members, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control systems
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 locking mechanism enhances the reliability and stability of the occluder's occlusion, minimizing locking failures and allowing for easy operation, while the biocompatible polymer material reduces tissue damage and infection risk, facilitating efficient and effective occlusion of heart defects.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the proximal hub and/or each stopping member is an elastic member... allowing for reversible deformation to secure the occlusion units
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an occluder (100), comprising a meshed occlusion body (1) provided with a cavity (103), and a proximal hub (2), as well as a locking member (10) and a stopping member (13) both of which are located in the cavity (103). The distal end of the locking member (10) is connected to the distal end of the occlusion body (1). The stopping member (13) is disposed at the proximal end of the locking member (10). The proximal occluder head (2) is provided with a locking hole (15) in communication with the cavity (103). The radial size of the stopping member (13) is slightly larger than the diameter of the locking hole (15). The radial size of the locking member (10) is smaller than the diameter of the locking hole (15), and at least one of the proximal occluder head (2) and the stopping member (13) is an elastic member. An occlusion device comprises the occluder (100), a hollow delivery mechanism (200) and a traction member (4). The distal end of the traction member (4) is detachably connected to the proximal end of the locking member (10) of the occluder (100) after extending through the distal end of the delivery mechanism (200). The occlusion device has a simple locking structure, and simplifies the manufacturing process and the locking operation.