Segmented Three-Dimensional Aneurysm Coil for Stable Deployment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in vivo indwelling members for treating aneurysms face challenges in achieving high adhesion to the inner wall of the aneurysm, maintaining indwelling density, and ensuring good operability, particularly due to interference between loop-shaped parts and limitations in flexible deformation.

Innovation Solution

The in vivo indwelling member features two or more three-dimensional portions with curved parts on four planes forming a quadrangular virtual sheath body, allowing for enhanced adhesion and indwelling density, and includes a structure where smaller portions are sequentially developed to form a strong frame along the aneurysm wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the metal coil is given a three-dimensional shape with many intersecting loop-shaped parts by heating around a spherical core, then the coil can spread in various directions without being confined at one site, but the shape retention becomes too high and the coil cannot adhere well to the inner wall of the aneurysm which has a variety of inner surface shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespreading capability in various directionsVSAvoidadhesion to aneurysm inner wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coil is divided into multiple independent three-dimensional portions, each with its own loop-shaped parts. This segmentation allows each portion to independently adapt to different regions of the aneurysm wall while maintaining overall spreading capability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and adhesion reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each three-dimensional portion is designed with specific local characteristics that enable it to conform to particular regions of the aneurysm. The loop-shaped parts in each portion can locally adapt to the varying inner surface shapes, providing reliable adhesion while the entire coil maintains its ability to spread in various directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the metal coil is pushed out gradually during indwelling operation so as to spread out while being slightly returned, then the operability is improved, but the loop-shaped parts are likely to be entangled with one another

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperability during indwelling operationVSAvoidentanglement of loop-shaped parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the coil into multiple three-dimensional portions with spatially separated loop-shaped parts, the patent reduces the likelihood of entanglement during gradual deployment. Each portion can be pushed out and positioned independently, maintaining compositional stability while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loop-shaped parts are arranged in three-dimensional space across multiple dimensions, reducing the probability of entanglement compared to planar arrangements. This spatial distribution allows smoother deployment while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the loop-shaped parts are positioned away from one another in a cuboid shape, then the interference between parts is reduced and adhesion is improved, but the shape retention is too strong and flexible deformation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion to aneurysm inner wallVSAvoidflexible deformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The three-dimensional portions are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to deform flexibly while maintaining their spaced arrangement. The portions can adapt their configuration to match the aneurysm wall shape, providing both strong adhesion and flexible deformation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coil structure incorporates flexible elements that allow the three-dimensional portions to deform and conform to the aneurysm wall while maintaining their essential spaced configuration. This enables reliable adhesion through flexible deformation rather than rigid positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enhances adhesion to the aneurysm wall, improves indwelling density, and maintains good operability by preventing interference between curved parts, ensuring stable frame formation and smooth deployment.

Implementation Method 1

Such a metal coil (secondary coil) is inserted into a lumen of a catheter for delivery in a state of being extended in the shape of the primary coil, is delivered to a target part together with the catheter, is pushed out from the catheter by an indwelling operation, and is indwelled in the aneurysm in a state of being developed into a secondary shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

shape memory alloys and superelastic materials are often used as a material of the coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

shape memory alloys and superelastic materials are often used as a material of the coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperelasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3378415B1In vivo indwelling member, and in vivo indwelling member placement device provided with said in vivo indwelling member
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 KANEKA CORP
  • EP3378415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378415B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3378415B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide an in vivo indwelling member which, while having a shape complicatedly curved in various directions and easily spreading inside an aneurysm or the like, is capable of being adhered to an inner wall of the aneurysm or the like to be prevented from falling off therefrom, is also capable of further improving an indwelling density, and is capable of maintaining good operability. It is another object of the present invention to provide an in vivo indwelling member placement device provided with the in vivo indwelling member. Shapes of two or more three-dimensional portions (middle solid 4A, large solid 4B) are provided in a primary coil 11. Each three-dimensional portion is formed by continuously providing at least four curved parts (51a to 51e/52a to 52f) over four planes. Normal directions of the four planes each have a relationship perpendicular to a predetermined common axis (a1/a2) direction. Each of the at least four curved parts (51a to 51e/52a to 52f) is formed on any of the respective planes of a quadrangular virtual cylindrical body as seen from the common axis (a1/a2) surrounded by the four planes.