Retrievable Stent With Staggered Struts for Lesion Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stents used for treating stenosis in body vessels are permanent and cannot be removed after the condition has passed, posing a need for a retrievable device that can be deployed and subsequently removed.
Innovation Solution
A retrievable device with a reticulation portion having a singly staggered strut configuration that can fold along a longitudinal axis, allowing for easy collapse and retrieval, combined with an expandable body for treatment and a retrieval stem for removal, utilizing shape memory materials for self-expansion and self-collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent stent is used to treat stenosis, then the stenotic lesion is effectively treated and maintained open, but the device cannot be removed after the condition has passed
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed with dynamic characteristics through shape memory material that allows it to transition between expanded and collapsed states. The stent can be deployed in an expanded state to treat the stenosis, then later collapsed and removed when no longer needed, making the device adaptable to different treatment phases rather than being permanently fixed in one state
Solution Approach 2:
The stent utilizes shape memory material whose physical properties (shape, size) can be changed by controlling temperature or other parameters. This allows the stent to maintain a permanent-like effectiveness during treatment while enabling removal by changing its physical state from expanded to collapsed configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retrievable stent with folding struts is used, then the device can be removed after treatment, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple individual struts that can fold independently along hinge lines. This segmentation allows the complex retrieval function to be achieved through simple, repetitive modular units rather than a single complex mechanism, making the overall system more manageable despite the added functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The folding strut design allows the stent to collapse into a compact nested configuration for retrieval, with struts folding within the confines of the delivery catheter. This nesting capability enables removability without requiring excessive space or complexity in the delivery system
3Ease of operation
If shape memory material is used for self-expansion, then the deployment process is simplified, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory material is programmed during manufacturing to self-expand to the correct stent configuration when exposed to body temperature. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex deployment mechanisms or manual adjustment, simplifying the deployment process while the precision requirements are managed through controlled manufacturing processes
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
Enables the effective treatment of stenotic lesions while allowing for the safe removal of the device after the condition has resolved, minimizing long-term vessel occlusion and reducing risks associated with permanent stent placement.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing shape memory materials for self-expansion and self-collapse
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of struts of the reticulation portion is configured to fold along the longitudinal axis defining a collapsed state of the device for retrieval
Data Source
AI summary
A retrievable device for treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a reticulation portion including a plurality of struts connected together in a singly staggered configuration distally along a longitudinal axis. The plurality of struts of the reticulation portion is configured to fold along the longitudinal axis defining a collapsed state of the device for retrieval. The device further includes an expandable body distally extending from the reticulation portion along an outer diameter for treatment of the stenotic lesion. The expandable body is configured to expand in the open state and collapsed in the collapsed state of the reticulation portion for retrieval. The device further comprises a retrieval stem extending proximally from the reticulation portion for retrieval of the device in the collapsed state.