Loading Collapsible Pulmonary Implants onto Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices face challenges in accurately and safely loading collapsible pulmonary implants onto delivery catheters without damaging them, and there is a need for a system that maintains the implant in its native state until use to prevent functional loss during storage and shipping.
Innovation Solution
A loading device comprising an outer and inner tubular structure with a narrowing passage that compresses the implant as it is slid into the catheter, along with optional features like a grasper and shape-memory materials to stabilize and release the implant, ensuring easy and secure loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the implant is compressed for delivery through small body pathways, then the implant can be delivered through the catheter, but the implant may lose functionality or get damaged during compression and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is nested within a protective housing structure that maintains it in an uncollapsed state during storage and shipping. The housing acts as a container that preserves the implant's native configuration, preventing damage while allowing compact delivery when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is pre-loaded into the housing structure in its uncollapsed state before storage or shipping. This preliminary loading action ensures the implant maintains its functional configuration throughout storage, and the housing is designed to facilitate easy loading without requiring compression of the implant itself.
2Ease of operation
If the implant is pre-loaded onto the catheter, then delivery is simplified, but the implant may degrade or lose functionality during extended storage on the shelf
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two separate components: the implant stored independently in a protective housing, and the delivery catheter. This segmentation allows the implant to remain in its optimal uncollapsed state during storage while the catheter remains ready for delivery, combining the benefits of pre-prepared delivery with preservation of implant functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves as an intermediary between the implant and the delivery catheter. It protects the implant during storage and provides a controlled interface for loading the implant onto the catheter only when needed, preventing premature degradation while enabling easy loading.
3Manufacturing precision
If a loading device is used to load the implant onto the catheter, then accurate and damage-free loading is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure utilizes a flexible or compliant material that can deform to accommodate the implant during loading, then return to its original shape to secure the implant. This flexibility simplifies the loading mechanism compared to rigid structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise control over the implant positioning.
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 allows for simple, accurate, and predictable loading of collapsible implants onto catheters, preventing damage and functional degradation, while maintaining the implant in its uncollapsed state until use, ensuring correct orientation and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
shape-memory materials to stabilize and release the implant
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
Devices for loading a collapsible implant onto a delivery catheter. In one aspect, a loading device compnses an outer tubular structure and an inner tubular structure. The outer tubular structure compnses a narrowing passage configured to receive a catheter at one end and a collapsible implant at another end. The inner tubular structure is configured to move slidably and co-axially within the outer tubular structure. The inner tubular structure comprises a earner pin configured to move within the narrowing passage as the inner tubular structure slides into the outer tubular structure. The sliding of the inner tubular structure into the outer tubular structure causes an implant mounted on the earner pin to collapse as the implant moves through the narrowing passage and into the distal end of a catheter. In another aspect, the outer tubular structure further comprises a grasper to stabilize the catheter for receipt of the collapsible implant.