Plaque Tack Device for Vessel Wall Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent technologies face challenges such as recurrent stenosis, material stress leading to fractures, and excessive scaffolding effects, which result in reduced flexibility and increased risk of restenosis and occlusion, particularly in mobile arteries like the lower extremity and carotid arteries.
Innovation Solution
A self-expanding endoluminal plaque tack device with a unique design featuring a circumferential member and bridge members, which can be partially expanded during delivery to precisely position and orient within the vessel, minimizing foreign material contact and using focal elevating elements to securely hold plaque against the vessel wall, thereby reducing the need for extensive stenting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional stents are used to hold open the artery, then acute occlusion is prevented, but recurrent stenosis and restenosis occur due to excessive scaffolding effects
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple individual struts rather than a continuous mesh structure. These discrete struts are positioned only at specific locations where plaque disruption has occurred, providing localized support exactly where needed while leaving the rest of the vessel wall untouched and flexible.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent provides scaffolding support only at specific local areas where plaque disruption has created vulnerability, rather than providing uniform support along the entire stented segment. This localized approach maintains vessel flexibility in untreated areas while providing reinforcement where clinically necessary.
2Strength
If metal stents are deployed to reinforce the vessel wall, then structural support is improved, but material stress leads to stent fractures particularly in mobile arteries
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous metal stent structure is segmented into individual struts connected by joints. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, accommodating the natural flexing and movement of mobile arteries without creating stress concentration points that would lead to fracture.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent incorporates movable joints between struts that allow the structure to dynamically adapt to vessel movement and deformation. This dynamic design enables the stent to flex with mobile arteries rather than resisting movement, thereby preventing material fatigue and fracture.
3Reliability
If extensive stenting is performed to treat plaque disruption, then vessel patency is maintained, but vessel flexibility is reduced increasing risk of occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than deploying a continuous stent that rigidly supports the entire vessel segment, individual struts are placed only where plaque disruption occurred. This segmented approach maintains patency at critical locations while preserving the natural flexibility and adaptability of the vessel wall in untreated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary portions of the stent structure are removed, keeping only the essential struts needed to support disrupted plaque. This extraction of excess scaffolding material eliminates the negative effects of over-stenting while maintaining the therapeutic benefit of plaque support.
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
The plaque tack device effectively addresses recurrent stenosis and material stress issues by providing precise placement and minimal foreign material contact, maintaining vessel flexibility and reducing the risk of restenosis and occlusion, while allowing for targeted treatment of plaque without the extensive scaffolding effects of traditional stents.
Implementation Method 1
A self-expanding endoluminal plaque tack device with a unique design featuring a circumferential member and bridge members, which can be partially expanded during delivery
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoluminal device can be configured for precise positioning during deployment within a vessel. The endoluminal device can be a tack, stent, vascular implant or other type of implant. The endoluminal device can have circumferential member with an undulating configuration having multiple inward and outward apexes and struts extending therebetween. Two of the struts can be used to establish a foot for the precise positioning of the device during deployment. A method of placing the endoluminal device can include withdrawing an outer sheath such that a portion of the endoluminal device is expanded prior to the rest of the endoluminal device.