Inverse Thermosensitive Polymer Vascular Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for temporarily occluding blood vessels during surgery, such as clamps and balloons, can cause damage to the intima and lead to complications like stroke or vessel trauma, especially in arteriosclerotic or calcified vessels, and fail to provide a reliable bloodless surgical field.

Innovation Solution

The use of purified inverse thermosensitive polymers, specifically poloxamers and poloxamines, which gel at body temperature to occlude vascular sites, maintaining a cylindrical shape and allowing for controlled ischemic preconditioning and minimally invasive procedures without damaging the blood vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external clamps or balloons are used to occlude blood vessels, then blood flow is effectively stopped, but the intima is traumatized leading to vessel damage and complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow occlusion effectivenessVSAvoidintima trauma and vessel damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical occlusion devices (clamps, balloons) with electrocautery-based occlusion. The electrocautery device creates a coagulum plug that mechanically occludes the vessel lumen without requiring external compression or internal balloon inflation, thereby avoiding intima trauma while achieving reliable blood flow cessation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a coagulum plug as an intermediary substance that fills the vessel lumen to achieve occlusion. This coagulum acts as a mediator between the electrocautery energy and the blood flow, providing mechanical blockage without direct contact between external devices and the vessel wall

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If strong pressure is applied by clamps to stop blood flow, then occlusion is effective, but atherosclerotic plaque and calcified vessels are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow occlusion effectivenessVSAvoidvessel wall integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical compression by clamps with electrocautery-based coagulum formation. The electrocautery device delivers thermal energy that coagulates blood to form a plug, achieving occlusion without applying external pressure that could damage plaque or calcified vessel walls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If balloons are inflated to occlude vessels, then blood flow is blocked, but the artery dilates and intima injury leads to thickening and narrowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow occlusion effectivenessVSAvoidartery dilation and intima thickening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces balloon inflation with electrocautery-based coagulum plug formation. The electrocautery device creates a coagulum that fills the lumen and provides occlusion without the radial expansion forces that cause artery dilation and subsequent intima thickening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coagulum plug is a temporary, disposable occlusion medium that serves its purpose during surgery and then naturally dissolves or is removed, avoiding the long-term structural changes associated with balloon catheters that remain in contact with the vessel wall

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 approach effectively reduces bleeding during surgical procedures, maintains a bloodless field, and minimizes trauma to the vessels, enabling precise surgical techniques like laser welding and reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional occlusion methods.

Implementation Method 1

a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said optional purified inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, thereby temporarily occluding a vascular site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInverse thermosensitivity: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS7700086B2Internal clamp for surgical procedures

Publication Date: 2010.04.20 GENZYME CORP

AI summary

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of occluding a vascular site in a mammal, comprising the step of introducing into the vasculature of a mammal at or proximal to a surgical site, a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, thereby temporarily occluding a vascular site of said mammal, wherein said temporarily occluded vasculature site is kept in a substantially cylindrical shape.