Porous Embolic Filter for Aortic Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intravascular devices for aortic filtration and embolic diversion are inadequate due to their inability to accommodate the elastic nature of arteries and the need for extended deployment to prevent emboli from reaching the cerebral vasculature post-surgery, while maintaining blood flow.

Innovation Solution

An embolic protection device with a porous diverter element and support structure that can expand and contract with the aorta, combined with a non-hollow flexible elongated retrieval element for extended deployment and retrieval, allowing for the prevention of emboli from entering the carotid arteries during and after surgical procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional filters are used in aorta, then emboli can be filtered, but they occlude significant portion of lumen rendering them unsatisfactory for use with other procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemboli filtration effectivenessVSAvoidblood flow maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous diverter element made of porous material that allows blood to pass through while trapping embolic debris. The porous structure provides sufficient filtration surface area to capture emboli without significantly occluding the aortic lumen, thus maintaining blood flow while achieving effective emboli filtration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The diverter element is constructed as a flexible thin film or shell that can conform to the aortic wall and expand/contract with arterial pulsations. This flexible structure provides adequate filtration coverage without requiring rigid frameworks that would occlude the lumen, enabling both effective emboli capture and maintained blood flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If filters are anchored in aorta, then they can prevent emboli, but arteries expand and contract causing filters to malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemboli prevention capabilityVSAvoidaccommodation to arterial expansion and contraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the diverter element and support structure as dynamic components that can expand and contract in synchrony with arterial pulsations. The flexible construction allows the filter to adapt its dimensions during the cardiac cycle, maintaining proper positioning and filtration function despite arterial wall movement and pressure changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible thin film construction of the diverter element enables it to naturally expand and contract with the arterial wall during pulsations. This flexibility allows the filter to maintain continuous contact with the aortic wall and proper geometric configuration throughout the cardiac cycle, ensuring reliable emboli prevention despite arterial dynamics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Duration of action of stationary object

If devices are designed for extended deployment, then they can protect post-surgery, but retrieval becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextended deployment periodVSAvoidretrieval difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a retrieval element as an intermediary component that remains attached to the diverter element during extended deployment. This retrieval element provides a means for easy retrieval after the protective function is no longer needed, solving the contradiction between extended deployment duration and ease of retrieval by providing a dedicated retrieval mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 the carotid arteries during and after surgical procedures by maintaining blood flow and allowing for extended deployment without occluding the aortic lumen, thereby reducing the risk of ischemic stroke.

Implementation Method 1

a porous diverter element having a distal opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Arteries are much more flexible and elastic than veins and, in the arteries, blood flow is pulsatile with large pressure variations between systolic and diastolic flow. These pressure variations cause the artery walls to expand and contract. Thus, filters and diverters must be able to expand and contract along with the lumen of the aorta

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8968354B2Extended protection embolic filter

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

The disclosure pertains to porous embolic debris diverters comprising a porous diverter element, a support structure therefor, and a non-hollow flexible elongated retrieval element fixedly attached thereto. The disclosure further pertains to delivery systems for the embolic debris diverters comprising a pusher and an elongated sheath as well as methods of use for the porous embolic debris diverters and the delivery systems therefor. The porous embolic debris diverters are adapted to remain within the body for extended periods of time.