Porous Deflector Screen for Emboli Protection in Aortic Arch
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Solution Overview
Problem
During cardiac interventional procedures like TAVI/TAVR, emboli particles are dislodged and can migrate to vital organs, causing damage, as existing technologies fail to effectively prevent their entry into the bloodstream and subsequent migration.
Innovation Solution
An intra-aortic emboli protection device with a porous deflector screen and emboli collector, comprising a filter-shaped curved cylinder that expands to conform to the aortic arch and descending aorta, deflects and captures emboli particles, using a connecting portion to anchor the device and prevent particle flow into branching arteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter device is placed in the aortic arch to block emboli, then emboli protection is improved, but blood flow to branching arteries may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is constructed from porous material that allows blood to pass through while blocking emboli particles. The porous structure enables selective filtration based on particle size, permitting red blood cells and plasma to flow through the pores while capturing larger embolic debris in the aortic arch
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is positioned specifically at the aortic arch location where emboli generation occurs during TAVI/TAVR procedures. This localized placement targets the harmful emboli at their source while maintaining blood flow to branching arteries through the porous structure, rather than placing a complete occlusion device in the main aortic lumen
2Productivity
If the filter is made porous to allow blood flow, then blood flow is improved, but filtering efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs porous material with controlled pore sizes that are large enough to permit adequate blood flow but small enough to capture emboli particles. The porous structure provides sufficient surface area for effective filtration while maintaining hemodynamic compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The filter's porous parameters (pore size, porosity percentage, thickness) are optimized to balance blood flow requirements with emboli capture efficiency. The pore size is specifically selected to allow red blood cells (approximately 6-8 micrometers) to pass through while trapping larger embolic debris
3Ease of operation
If the device is made collapsible for catheter delivery, then ease of insertion is improved, but structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed with dynamic structural properties that allow it to transition between a compressed delivery configuration and an expanded functional configuration. The structure is flexible enough to be crimped onto a catheter for delivery through peripheral arteries but rigid enough when deployed to maintain its shape and filtering function in the aortic arch
Solution Approach 2:
The filter employs a flexible shell or thin film structure that can be compressed for delivery and then expanded to its functional form in the aorta. This flexible construction allows catheter-based delivery through small incisions while providing sufficient structural integrity when deployed to capture emboli and maintain blood flow
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 device effectively prevents emboli from entering arteries branching off the aortic arch, capturing them downstream, thereby reducing the risk of embolism and organ damage during cardiac procedures, allowing for safe blood flow and procedural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a filter-shaped curved cylinder 102 configured to expand and conform to a wall of the aortic arch... deflect particles toward the descending aorta
Implementation Method 2
configured to expand and conform to a wall of the aortic arch
Implementation Method 3
a filter-shaped curved cylinder 102 configured to expand and conform to a wall of the aortic arch
Implementation Method 4
a connecting portion 104 for anchoring the filter... pushing against walls of the aorta
Data Source
AI summary
An embolic protection device including a porous deflector screen including a filter, arranged to expand and to conform to a wall of the aortic arch covering entrances to arteries branching from an aorta, an emboli collector including a cylinder arranged to expand and to lie along walls of a descending aorta, pushing against walls of the descending aorta and anchoring the porous deflector screen, and a connecting portion for connecting the porous deflector screen and the emboli collector, arranged to push the porous deflector screen against a wall of the aortic arch while anchoring against the emboli collector. Related apparatus and methods are also described.