Parallel-Lumen Docking Graft for Branch Artery Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stent-grafts face challenges in bypassing diseased regions of the aorta without occluding critical branch arteries while providing a secure flow conduit, particularly in areas with vessel bifurcations or segments with smaller branch arteries.
Innovation Solution
A trifurcating docking graft with parallel internal lumens for bridging stent grafts and a main docking lumen, allowing for secure attachment and perfusion of branch arteries, including a bifurcated graft for complex anatomies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stent-graft is placed inside the vessel to bypass the diseased portion, then the diseased region is sealed off from blood flow, but critical branch arteries may be covered or occluded by the stent-graft
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft is divided into multiple segments including a main body and multiple side branches, each segment serving a specific function. The main body seals the diseased aorta while side branches maintain patency of critical arteries, resolving the contradiction between effective sealing and branch artery preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The stent-graft structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: the main body provides sealing against the aorta wall, side branches maintain blood flow to critical arteries, and the overall structure provides structural support. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single device capable of both sealing and preserving branch arteries
2Reliability
If the stent-graft seals against the aorta wall to provide a flow conduit, then blood flow past the diseased portion is ensured, but the structure becomes complex with multiple lumens and sleeves
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sleeves are nested within the main graft body, with each sleeve forming an internal lumen. The sleeves are positioned concentrically within the main structure, allowing multiple flow pathways to be created within a unified framework, thus managing complexity through hierarchical organization
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a simple tubular structure to a multi-dimensional configuration with multiple lumens arranged in specific spatial patterns. By utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently within the graft body, multiple flow conduits are created without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an assembly including a docking graft. The docking graft includes a main graft defining a main lumen, a first internal lumen within the main lumen, a second internal lumen within the main lumen, and a main docking lumen within the main lumen. The first and second internal lumens are configured to receive first and second bridging stent graft therein. The main docking lumen is configured to receive a tube graft therein. The first internal lumen, the second internal lumen, and the main docking lumen being parallel to one another and extending an entire length of the docking graft when the docking graft is in a relaxed configuration. The docking graft forms the foundation, or anchor device, for attachment of the first bridging stent graft, the second bridging stent graft, and the tube graft within the aorta.