Resorbable Vascular Occluder for Minimally Invasive Vein Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating varicose veins, such as surgical stripping and radiofrequency ablation, are invasive and have associated complications, and there is a need for improved techniques to effectively occlude the greater saphenous vein and prevent venous reflux.

Innovation Solution

A percutaneous method and system for delivering an elongate occluder device into the greater saphenous vein to occlude it, using a delivery device with a guiding catheter and sheath to position and secure the occluder, which can be resorbable and expandable to block blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical stripping is used to treat varicose veins, then the vein can be completely removed, but the procedure is highly invasive with significant complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of vein occlusionVSAvoidinvasiveness and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical surgical stripping system with a percutaneous delivery system that uses a catheter and occluder device. The occluder is delivered through a needle puncture and expanded within the vein to achieve occlusion without surgical incisions or vein removal, thereby maintaining effectiveness while reducing invasiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The occluder device transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state within the vein. This parameter change allows the device to be delivered percutaneously in a compact form and then expand to fully occlude the vein, achieving surgical-level effectiveness with minimally invasive access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If radiofrequency ablation is used to treat varicose veins, then the vein can be closed with minimal invasion, but the technique has limitations in effectiveness and vein recanalization

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidpermanent occlusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a physical occluder device as an intermediary element within the vein to achieve occlusion. Unlike RF ablation that relies on thermal damage, this mechanical occluder provides immediate and permanent physical blockage of blood flow, reducing recanalization while maintaining minimal invasiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The occluder device is positioned and expanded within the vein before any potential recanalization can occur. This preliminary mechanical occlusion prevents blood flow that would otherwise promote vein patency, ensuring permanent closure while avoiding the thermal limitations of RF ablation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a percutaneous occluder device is delivered into the vein, then invasiveness is reduced, but the device must be small enough for delivery yet large enough to effectively occlude the vein

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidoccluder device length

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The occluder device is designed with dynamic characteristics, transitioning from a compressed configuration during delivery to an expanded configuration during deployment. This allows the device to pass through a thin-walled needle in a compact state and then expand to a large size sufficient to occlude the entire vein lumen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The occluder device is nested within a delivery catheter, which itself is delivered through a needle. This nested configuration allows the large occluder to be contained within progressively smaller delivery components, enabling percutaneous delivery of a device that is ultimately large enough to effectively occlude the vein

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the occluder device is made resorbable, then tissue remodeling is promoted, but the device must maintain structural integrity during the occlusion period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue remodelingVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The occluder device utilizes composite material properties that combine temporary structural strength with eventual resorbability. The material maintains sufficient integrity to provide immediate and sustained occlusion, then gradually degrades to promote tissue remodeling and integration, achieving both short-term strength and long-term biocompatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9414843B2Vascular occlusion methods, systems and devices

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures are used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the deployment of one or more vascular occlusion devices via a through-and-through percutaneous procedure that leaves the vascular occlusion device or devices in a through-and-through condition.