Percutaneous Intravascular Occlusion Devices with Flexible Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular occlusion devices face challenges in aligning with anatomical variations due to limited flexibility between disk and cylindrical portions, leading to improper retention and potential interference with blood flow.
Innovation Solution
The devices are formed from a resilient metal fabric with a small transition diameter between disk and cylindrical portions, allowing for improved flexibility and alignment, and include retention hooks to secure the device in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid connection is used between disk and cylindrical portions, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and alignment capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct segments (disk portions and cylindrical portions) connected by a hinge mechanism, allowing each segment to move independently relative to others. This segmentation enables the device to adapt to non-perpendicular vessel walls while maintaining structural integrity through the hinge connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism introduces dynamic movement capability between rigid segments, allowing the device to transition from a fixed configuration to an adaptable configuration. The hinge enables angular adjustment between disk and cylindrical portions, providing flexibility for alignment with varying anatomical structures while preserving the rigidity needed for structural strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a small transition diameter is used between disk and cylindrical portions, then flexibility and alignment are improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a small transition diameter that would compromise strength, the invention segments the structure into distinct rigid portions connected by a hinge. This allows the connection to be flexible for alignment purposes while the hinge mechanism itself provides structural integrity, avoiding the weakness that would result from a small diameter transition zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary mechanism between the disk and cylindrical portions, providing the necessary flexibility for alignment without requiring a small transition diameter. The hinge mediates the connection, allowing angular movement while maintaining structural strength through its mechanical design, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.
3Reliability
If the device is made rigid for stable placement, then retention is improved, but ability to conform to anatomical variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically adjustable structure with hinge mechanisms. The hinges allow the device to conform to various anatomical configurations during deployment, and once positioned, the device achieves stable retention through proper engagement with the vessel wall, balancing adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its geometric parameters (angles between segments) through the hinge mechanisms to adapt to different anatomical variations. This parameter adjustment capability allows the device to maintain optimal retention across various vessel configurations without requiring a completely flexible structure, thus preserving reliability while improving conformability.
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
Enhances the ability to conform to non-perpendicular vessel walls, ensuring secure placement and effective occlusion without disrupting blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient metal fabric which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape. This braided fabric is then deformed to generally conform to a molding surface of a molding element and the braided fabric is heat treated in contact with the surface of the molding element at an elevated temperature
Implementation Method 2
The hooks are formed from the metal fabric and extend beyond an outer surface of the body portion. The hooks assist in retention of the device by resisting motion of the device in the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved vascular occlusion device having improved flexibility and retention of the type fabricated from braided tubular metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration and an elongated collapsed reduced diameter configuration for delivery through a catheter to a treatment site and shaped to create an occlusion of an abnormal opening in a body organ or vessel, the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained. The device further including at least one disk portion adjacent a body cylindrical portion formed from the fabric and having a transition diameter between the disk and cylindrical portion, significantly smaller than the diameter of the disk and the diameter of the cylindrical portion.