Pivotable Fenestration Endoluminal Prosthesis for Branch Vessel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of stent grafts in treating aneurysms involving main vessels and branch vessels is challenging due to the difficulty in aligning fenestrations of the main graft with branch vessels, leading to increased time and complexity in inserting smaller branch grafts, especially when multiple branch vessels are involved.
Innovation Solution
An endoluminal prosthesis with a tubular body made of biocompatible graft material, featuring pivotable fenestrations and diameter reducing ties that allow for precise alignment and adjustment during deployment, enabling easier alignment with branch vessels and facilitating the deployment of interconnected stent grafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional stent graft deployment is used to treat aneurysms involving branch vessels, then the main graft can be implanted in the main vessel, but aligning fenestrations with branch vessels becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis incorporates pivotable fenestrations that can rotate relative to the main body of the graft. This dynamic feature allows the fenestrations to be oriented at different angles after deployment, enabling alignment with branch vessels that have varying anatomical orientations without requiring precise pre-alignment during the deployment process
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis is deployed in the main vessel first with the fenestrations initially in a neutral or predetermined position. After secure deployment and expansion of the main graft, the fenestrations are then rotated to the appropriate angles to align with the branch vessels. This preliminary deployment followed by angular adjustment simplifies the overall procedure compared to attempting precise alignment before deployment
2Reliability
If multiple branch grafts are deployed to cannulate multiple branch vessels, then complete vascular coverage is achieved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis divides the vascular coverage function into segments: the main graft body provides coverage for the main vessel, while separate pivotable fenestrations provide access to individual branch vessels. Each fenestration can be independently oriented and accessed, allowing systematic deployment of branch grafts to multiple vessels without requiring complex simultaneous manipulation of all components
Solution Approach 2:
The main prosthesis body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support and sealing for the main vessel while simultaneously serving as a platform for accessing multiple branch vessels through its pivotable fenestrations. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into a single integrated system, reducing overall procedural complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If fenestrations are made pivotable for better alignment, then alignment flexibility improves, but the structural stability of the prosthesis may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis separates the structure into a stable main body and movable fenestration components. The main body maintains structural integrity and provides the primary sealing function, while the fenestrations are designed as separate, pivotable elements that can rotate without compromising the overall structural stability of the main graft body
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs delivery devices and release mechanisms as intermediaries that facilitate the pivoting and deployment of fenestrations. These intermediary components enable controlled movement and positioning of the fenestrations while the prosthesis itself maintains its structural stability during the procedure
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoluminal prosthesis (10) includes a tubular body of a biocompatible graft material having proximal and distal ends (22,24), anterior and posterior sides, and first and second fenestrations (12,38) spaced from one another circumferentially around the tubular body. The prosthesis includes at least one first diameter reducing tie (60) positioned circumferentially on the posterior side of the prosthesis and engaging at least a circumferential segment of the posterior side to restrain the engaged segment from expansion. The prosthesis also includes at least one second diameter reducing tie positioned circumferentially between the first and second fenestrations on the anterior side of the prosthesis and engaging at least a circumferential segment of the anterior side to restrain the engaged segment from expansion.