Ostial Stent Flaring Apparatus for Secure Vessel Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stents are challenging to position and secure at ostial locations, such as vessel intersections, due to difficulties in aligning and maintaining placement without occluding blood flow, leading to incomplete coverage and shifting within the vessel.
Innovation Solution
A stent flaring apparatus with a sterile body and clamp mechanism, featuring bores with a flared diameter that decreases towards the end, allowing for precise expansion and secure ostial placement, including the use of an expandable balloon for deformation and retention within the ostium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional stents are used for ostial placement, then the stent can be deployed in the vessel, but the stent cannot be securely and precisely positioned at the ostium without shifting or incomplete coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is pre-flared at its distal end before deployment to create a geometric feature that will engage with the vessel wall at the ostium. This preliminary shaping action enables the stent to self-anchor upon deployment, achieving secure retention and precise positioning without requiring additional securing mechanisms during the procedure.
2Measurement precision
If the stent is positioned to cover the ostium, then complete coverage is achieved, but blood flow occlusion in the main vessel or branch vessel may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Only the distal end of the stent is flared to create a anchoring feature, while the rest of the stent maintains its original cylindrical geometry. This localized modification allows the stent to anchor securely at the ostium without extending excessively into the main vessel or branch vessel, thereby preventing blood flow occlusion while achieving complete ostial coverage.
3Reliability
If flaring is performed ad hoc without control, then the stent can be flared to assist retention, but the length and dimensions of the flared portion cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
A tapered bore is introduced as an intermediary tool during the flaring process. The stent is inserted into this tapered bore, and the bore's predetermined taper geometry guides and constrains the flaring action, ensuring that the flared portion achieves precise length and dimensional control while still providing effective retention at the ostium.
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 precise and secure ostial stent placement, reducing the risk of restenosis by ensuring complete coverage and minimizing blood flow obstruction at vessel intersections.
Implementation Method 1
using an expandable device to deform the stent and maintain retention
Implementation Method 2
The bore has a first portion proximate the first end and a second portion proximate the second end, wherein the first portion and the second portion meet within the bore, and wherein the first portion has a flared diameter that decreases when moving from the first end towards the second end
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, kits and methods for flaring an end of a stent that can then be placed within the ostium of a vessel are disclosed. Areas in which ostial stents with flared ends could be used may include, e.g., the left main artery, renal arteries, sub-clavian artery, right coronary artery, circumflex artery, et al.