Screw Catch Mechanism for PFO Occluder Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current septal closure devices for atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale (PFO) are technically complex, prone to complications such as thrombus formation, conduction system disturbances, and residual leaks, and lack anatomical conformability, leading to inefficient closure and potential risks.

Innovation Solution

A delivery system with a catch mechanism that includes a catch member with a threaded outside surface and a delivery wire to convert the occluder into an expanded profile configuration, ensuring secure deployment and maintenance of the occluder in the deployed position using a delivery catheter and inner catheter with a key mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a catch mechanism with threaded connection and key-socket interface is implemented, then the reliability of maintaining deployed configuration is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of maintaining deployed configurationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catch mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a catch member with threaded outside surface for axial connection, and a key-socket interface for rotational locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines two connection methods (threaded axial connection and key-socket rotational connection) into a single integrated catch mechanism. This merging provides redundant securing methods, ensuring the occluder remains firmly held in the deployed configuration through multiple independent locking actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the occluder is converted into expanded profile configuration using delivery wire, then the effectiveness of septal defect closure is improved, but the difficulty of deployment operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of septal defect closureVSAvoiddifficulty of deployment operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The occluder is pre-configured with the catch mechanism and key-socket interface before delivery. The delivery system is prepared with the key attachment ready to engage. This preliminary preparation ensures that when deployment is initiated, the conversion to expanded profile and locking actions occur smoothly without requiring complex real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery wire acts as an intermediary tool to transmit force from the operator to the occluder, enabling controlled conversion from compressed to expanded profile. The key attached to the delivery catheter serves as an intermediary for engaging the key-socket interface, facilitating the rotational locking action without requiring direct manual manipulation of small components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables secure and efficient closure of septal defects by maintaining the occluder in the deployed configuration, reducing complications and improving anatomical conformability, thus enhancing the effectiveness of PFO closure.

Implementation Method 1

The catch member includes a threaded outside surface at the proximal end that can be threadably attached to the proximal side of the occluder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2001368B1Screw catch mechanism for PFO occluder
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 WL GORE & ASSOC INC
  • EP2001368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2001368B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2001368B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

Devices, delivery systems and delivery techniques for an occlusion device for the closure of physical anomalies, such as an atrial septal defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and other septal and vascular defects are described. The devices, delivery systems and delivery techniques relate particularly to, but are not limited to, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder made from a polymer tube, specifically, a petal-shaped occluder. In certain embodiments, the catch system includes a catch member with a screw catch mechanism for connecting to the occluder. A delivery system for use with the catch member includes a component for rotating the catch member relative to the occluder to engage the screw catch mechanism.