Peelable Sheath Introducer for Endoluminal Prosthesis Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoluminal prosthesis delivery systems with longer preloaded components become cumbersome and difficult to control, especially as the length of the main body sheath increases, complicating the delivery of prosthetic devices to vascular sites like aneurysms, and may require additional catheters, wires, or stents.
Innovation Solution
An endoluminal prosthesis introducer featuring an elongate tubular sheath with a reinforced longitudinal segment and a peelable segment that splits proximally when a force is applied to the distal end, allowing the reinforced segment to move distally relative to the cannula, enabling the prosthesis to be deployed without the need for excessively long preloaded components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the length of the main body sheath is increased to deliver prosthetic devices to distant vascular sites, then the delivery reach is improved, but the preloaded components become significantly longer and more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into two distinct segments: a reinforced proximal segment that provides structural support and stability, and a peelable distal segment that can be separated from the prosthesis. This segmentation allows the reinforced segment to remain relatively short and controllable while the peelable segment enables prosthesis deployment without requiring excessively long preloaded components throughout the entire sheath length.
Solution Approach 2:
The peelable segment is extracted as a separate, removable portion of the sheath that can be peeled away from the prosthesis during deployment. This extraction allows the main reinforced sheath to be kept short and controllable, while the peeled-away segment provides the necessary coverage for prosthesis delivery and deployment at the target site.
2Length of moving object
If the length of the main body sheath is increased, then the delivery reach is improved, but the device complexity increases requiring additional catheters, wires, or stents
Solution Approach 1:
The peelable segment serves multiple functions: it provides coverage for the prosthesis during delivery, acts as a deployment mechanism when peeled away, and eliminates the need for separate deployment tools or additional components. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to deliver prosthetics to distant sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The peelable segment is designed to be self-contained and self-operating. The operator simply applies force to peel the segment away from the prosthesis, and the segment itself performs the deployment function without requiring additional catheters, wires, or stents. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall device architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If longer preloaded components are used to traverse the delivery system, then the delivery capability is improved, but the components become significantly more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sheath into reinforced and peelable portions, the system allows the reinforced segment to remain short and easily controllable, while the peelable segment provides the necessary length for prosthesis coverage. This eliminates the need for extremely long preloaded components that would be difficult to control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire sheath long and controllable, the invention inverts the approach by making the sheath short and controllable with a reinforced segment, and using a peelable segment that is peeled away during deployment. This inversion allows delivery capability without the need for long, difficult-to-control preloaded 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
This design allows for a shorter introducer system, improving control and reducing the complexity of delivery by enabling the prosthesis to be deployed with a shorter sheath and pusher catheter, while maintaining stability and kink-resistance, thus simplifying the delivery process and reducing the need for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
Upon application of a force applied to a distal end of the sheath, the peelable segment progressively splits in a proximal direction
Implementation Method 2
the reinforced segment longitudinally moves relative to the cannula in a distal direction
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoluminal prosthesis introducer may include an elongate tubular sheath (130, 330, 430) including a reinforced longitudinal segment (136, 336) and a peelable longitudinal segment (134, 334, 434) extending distally from the reinforced segment (136, 336). An elongate tubular cannula may be disposed within the sheath. Upon application of a force applied to a distal end of the sheath (130, 330, 430), the peelable segment (134, 334, 434) may progressively split in a proximal direction, and the reinforced segment (136, 336) may longitudinally move relative to the cannula in a distal direction.