Occlusive Implant Coupler With Flexible Legs For Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow anatomical structures, such as veins, often require occlusion to alleviate conditions like varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, but existing methods lack efficient and operator-controlled delivery systems for occlusive implants.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus with an elongate flexible delivery tube and a male coupler with cantilevered flexible legs, which can be expanded to secure an occlusive implant within a hollow anatomical structure, allowing for precise placement and easy repositioning using a control member that flexes the legs to engage and disengage the implant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an occlusive implant is delivered using a mechanical detachment mechanism, then instantaneous operator-controlled release is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is divided into separate functional components: a delivery catheter, an expandable occlusive implant, and a mechanical detachment mechanism with interlocking elements. The mechanism includes a proximal portion with a first interlocking element and a distal portion with a second interlocking element that engage to secure the implant during delivery, then can be independently activated for release.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachment mechanism transitions from a static engaged state during delivery to a dynamic released state through operator control. The interlocking elements are designed to maintain secure engagement during navigation but can be easily disengaged through a release mechanism, allowing the implant to be deployed while maintaining system controllability.
2Ease of operation
If the male coupler legs are made flexible to engage the implant, then ease of operation improves, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The male coupler incorporates flexible legs that can deflect to accommodate the occlusive implant during engagement. These legs are designed with appropriate flexibility to allow engagement movements while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to secure and support the implant once engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The male coupler is segmented into multiple flexible legs rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows each leg to independently deflect and engage with the implant while distributing mechanical loads across multiple elements, maintaining overall structural strength.
3Ease of operation
If the control member outer diameter is increased to flex the legs, then the ability to engage/disengage implant improves, but the ability to pass through delivery tube lumen deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control member features a non-circular cross-section with localized protrusions or edges that engage specific portions of the male coupler legs. This localized geometry allows the control member to effectively flex the legs for engagement and disengagement while maintaining a compact overall diameter that fits within the delivery tube lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member utilizes changes in its cross-sectional parameters, featuring a non-circular profile with specific dimensional characteristics that enable it to interact with the flexible legs. The control member's geometry is optimized to provide sufficient leverage for leg deflection while constraining its maximum dimension to fit through the delivery catheter.
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 efficient and precise occlusion of hollow anatomical structures, allowing for repeated repositioning of occlusive implants without plastic deformation, thereby effectively addressing the challenges of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the legs includes an internal surface that defines at least a portion of the male coupler lumen and tapers inwardly toward the distal end of each leg such that an interior diameter of the male coupler lumen decreases in the proximal-to-distal direction. The control member has an outer diameter greater than the interior diameter of the male coupler lumen at the distal end, such that when the control member is advanced within the male coupler lumen the control member contacts the internal surfaces of the legs to cause them to flex outwardly.
Implementation Method 2
The male coupler includes a plurality of cantilevered flexible legs extending distally. Each of the legs includes an internal surface that defines at least a portion of the male coupler lumen and tapers inwardly toward the distal end of each leg such that an interior diameter of the male coupler lumen decreases in the proximal-to-distal direction.
Data Source
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AI summary
An implant and delivery system including a female coupler at a proximal end of the implant and a male coupler at a distal end of an elongate tubular delivery member. The male coupler is insertable within the female coupler and expandable under the influence of an elongate control member that is slidable within the tubular delivery member. Expansion of the male coupler locks the implant to the tubular delivery member. Withdrawal of the control member unlocks the implant from the tubular delivery member, enabling placement of the implant within a body.