Radiopaque Marker Scheme for Endovascular Stent Graft Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endovascular delivery systems for treating aortic aneurysms have high morbidity and mortality rates due to their invasive nature and require large, stiff devices that are difficult to deploy through tortuous anatomy, necessitating a flexible and adaptable system for varied patient anatomies.
Innovation Solution
An endovascular delivery system with a low-profile, modular prosthesis holder featuring radiopaque markers for precise alignment and deployment, including a bifurcated graft with inflatable channels for structural rigidity and a network of inflatable channels for sealing, allowing for flexible deployment and accurate placement within the body lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing endovascular delivery systems are used, then aortic aneurysms can be treated, but the systems have high morbidity and mortality rates due to invasive procedures and require large, stiff devices that are difficult to deploy through tortuous anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system employs a flexible low profile construction with a catheter-based delivery mechanism that can navigate tortuous anatomy. The system uses a flexible delivery catheter with a low profile that can be inserted through peripheral vessels and advanced to the target site, eliminating the need for large, stiff devices that cause high morbidity and mortality rates.
2Reliability
If existing endovascular delivery systems are used, then aortic aneurysms can be treated, but the systems require large transverse profiles up to 24 French
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes a low profile delivery catheter with a small transverse profile that can be advanced through peripheral access vessels. The flexible construction allows the device to navigate through the vascular system without requiring large bore access, reducing trauma to the vessel wall and improving patient outcomes.
3Strength
If existing endovascular delivery systems are used, then aortic aneurysms can be treated, but the systems have greater than desired lateral stiffness which complicates the delivery process
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system incorporates a dynamic structure that transitions from a flexible, low-profile delivery configuration to a rigid, self-expanding deployed configuration. The stent graft is compressed within the delivery catheter for easy navigation, then automatically expands to provide structural support upon deployment, eliminating the need for excessive lateral stiffness during the delivery process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stent grafts are sized to accommodate varied patient anatomies, then the treatment can be adapted to different patients, but a large and expensive inventory of stent grafts must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal delivery platform with a low profile catheter that can accommodate various stent graft sizes and configurations. The modular design allows different stent grafts to be delivered through the same delivery system, reducing the need to maintain separate delivery systems for each stent graft size and reducing inventory requirements.
5Manufacturing precision
If custom size stent grafts are manufactured and sent to the treating facility, then precise sizing for patient anatomy is achieved, but intervention is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes pre-sized, off-the-shelf stent grafts that are immediately available for deployment. The universal delivery system is pre-configured to accommodate various stent graft sizes, allowing the interventionalist to select the appropriate size from available inventory and deploy it immediately without waiting for custom manufacturing, thereby reducing procedural delays.
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 system enables safe and reliable deployment of stent grafts across a range of patient anatomies, reducing procedural complexity and improving clinical outcomes by providing precise alignment and structural support during deployment.
Implementation Method 1
at least two generally cylindrical markers aligned in a direction parallel to the axial guidewire... using a known device that provides imaging, such as a radiographic or fluorescopy monitor, to view the location of the generally cylindrical markers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An endovascular delivery system (100) for an endovascular prosthesis (114) includes a radiopaque marker system for accurate delivery of the prosthesis. The radiopaque marker system is disposed within a prosthesis or stent holder within the delivery system. The radiopaque marker system includes a plurality of radiopaque markers (178; 180) that provide different views of the rotation of the prosthesis or stent holder.