Pyloric Obstruction Device with Bent Slender Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for obstructing or reducing flow through the pyloric valve are inadequate for long-term or specific applications, such as post-surgical duodenum recovery or gastric bypass procedures, as they often require staples or temporary occlusions, which may not effectively manage gastric content flow into the duodenum or jejunum.

Innovation Solution

A transoral gastrointestinal device featuring an obstruction disc mounted on a shaft with a peripheral frame and anchoring member, made from a bent slender element, which can be deployed across the pylorus to create a unitary structure that includes a sealing membrane to control gastric content flow, allowing for adjustable and secure occlusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pyloric obstruction device is deployed to reduce gastric content flow into the duodenum, then the flow control function is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control functionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (obstruction disc, shaft, anchoring member, peripheral frame, and membrane) into a single integrated device structure. The shaft connects the obstruction disc to the anchoring member, while the peripheral frame supports the membrane, creating a unified assembly that can be delivered and deployed as one unit through the gastrointestinal tract.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: the obstruction disc for blocking the pylorus, the shaft for structural support and delivery, the anchoring member for securing the device in place, and the peripheral frame with membrane for creating the occlusion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall flow control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If anchoring members are designed to be small enough to pass through the pylorus, then the ease of delivery is improved, but the anchoring strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of deliveryVSAvoidanchoring strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring member is designed to transition from a compressed, low-profile state during delivery to an expanded, high-strength state after deployment. The shape memory alloy material enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the anchoring member to pass through the pylorus in a compact form and then expand to provide secure anchoring in the duodenum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the anchoring member (size, shape, stiffness) are changed by utilizing the phase transition properties of shape memory alloy. The material can be temporarily deformed to a smaller configuration for delivery, then heated or mechanically stimulated to return to its original larger configuration, providing both ease of delivery and strong anchoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3182937B1Pyloric obstruction device
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 EASYNOTES
  • EP3182937B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3182937B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B
  • EP3182937B1 patent drawingFigure 4C

AI summary

An obstruction device (10) includes an obstruction disc (12) mounted on a shaft (14). The disc (12) includes a membrane (24) attached to a peripheral frame (18). An anchoring member (16) extends from a distal portion of the shaft (14). The shaft (14), anchoring member (16) and peripheral frame (18) may together have a unitary construction made from a bent slender element.