Pyloric Occlusion Plug With Expandable Sections and Easy Retrieval

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for occlusion devices or plugs that are low cost, minimally invasive, easy to deploy, atraumatic, and resist undesired migration, and which can be easily removed from the deployment site if desired, particularly for procedures like gastric bypass where the pylorus needs to be blocked or unblocked.

Innovation Solution

The development of occlusion devices or plugs that can shift between expanded and unexpanded configurations, featuring a proximal and distal plug section with a smooth atraumatic outer surface, often made of silicone, and include anti-migration features, with mechanisms like a locking ring and center core for controlled expansion and contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid plug is used to occlude the pylorus, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but trauma to the body lumen increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectivenessVSAvoidtrauma to body lumen

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is constructed with a flexible body that can conform to the contours of the pylorus, providing effective occlusion while avoiding trauma through material flexibility rather than rigidity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The plug transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state, dynamically adapting its shape and size to achieve effective occlusion while minimizing initial trauma during insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a permanent plug is used to block the pylorus, then occlusion reliability is improved, but reversibility is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion reliabilityVSAvoidreversibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plug utilizes changes in physical parameters (compressibility, expandability) to transition between deployed and retrieved states, enabling reversible occlusion while maintaining reliability during the occlusion period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plug is designed for temporary periodic occlusion rather than permanent blockage, allowing the system to alternate between occluded and patent states as clinically indicated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Manufacturing precision

If a complex deployment mechanism is used to ensure controlled placement, then placement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement precisionVSAvoiddeployment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deployment system is divided into separate functional components (delivery catheter, compression mechanism, release mechanism) that can be independently optimized and simplified while collectively achieving precise placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If a large plug is used to ensure complete occlusion, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but ease of delivery is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectivenessVSAvoidease of delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is nested within the delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing the large occlusion device to be delivered through a relatively small access pathway and then expanded at the target site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

These devices provide effective occlusion and retraction capabilities, ensuring minimal trauma to the body lumen while preventing migration, and can be easily deployed and removed as needed, facilitating procedures like gastric bypass and anastomosis.

Implementation Method 1

an intermediate section extending between the proximal plug section and the distal plug section, wherein relative movement between the intermediate section and at least one of the proximal plug section and the distal plug section causes the at least one of the proximal plug section and the distal plug section to shift from an expanded configuration into an unexpanded configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260108249A1Devices, systems, and methods for pyloric occlusion

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

An occlusion device or plug having a proximal plug section and a distal plug section. The plug sections may each be shifted between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration at the deployment site to occlude the deployment site. A tubular member such as a silicone tube may be used to form an occlusion device or plug shiftable or expandable into a desired configuration. An intermediate section between a proximal plug section and a distal plug section may be configured to be manipulated at least to shift at least one of the plug sections from an expanded configuration to an unexpanded configuration. A pair of stents may be coupled together via an intermediate section in such manner such that manipulation of the intermediate section causes at least one of the stents to shift from an expanded configuration to an unexpanded configuration.