Segmented Aortic Stent-Grft With Perforated Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stent-graft prostheses for treating aortic dissection often restrict blood flow to branch arteries, create new dissections, and are not suitable for use in the ascending aorta or aortic arch, where blocking blood flow to great vessels is unacceptable.

Innovation Solution

A dissection prosthesis system with a tubular configuration, featuring multiple stent rings and graft material bands that allow for blood flow to branch arteries by incorporating openings in the stent rings and bands, minimizing the risk of new dissections and enabling deployment within the ascending aorta and aortic arch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional stent-graft prosthesis is deployed to seal the aortic dissection, then the dissection is sealed and false lumen is isolated, but blood flow to branch arteries is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidblood flow restriction to branch arteries
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stent-graft is divided into multiple stent rings (first stent ring, second stent ring, third stent ring) with graft material bands connecting them. The stent rings are further segmented with multiple openings, allowing blood to flow through the prosthesis structure to branch arteries while maintaining the seal against the aortic wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the stent-graft have different properties: the graft material bands provide sealing contact with the aortic wall, while the stent rings with openings provide structural support and allow blood flow. The openings are strategically positioned to enable branch artery perfusion while the graft material maintains the seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a conventional stent-graft prosthesis is deployed to seal the aortic dissection, then the dissection is sealed, but new dissections may be created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidrisk of new dissections
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The graft material bands are designed as flexible thin films that conform to the aortic wall geometry. This flexibility allows the prosthesis to adapt to the natural curvature and movement of the aorta without creating stress concentrations that could lead to new dissections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The stent-graft structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow movement and adaptation. The multiple stent rings connected by graft material bands can flex and move with the aorta's natural dynamics, reducing the risk of creating new dissections from rigid structural constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional stent-graft prosthesis is deployed in the ascending aorta or aortic arch, then the dissection can be treated in these regions, but blood flow to great vessels may be blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment location flexibilityVSAvoidblood flow restriction to great vessels
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is segmented into multiple stent rings with openings, allowing blood to flow through the structure to reach great vessels in the aortic arch and ascending aorta regions while maintaining seal effectiveness in these challenging anatomical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stent-graft design with multiple openings and stent rings provides multi-functionality: it seals the dissection, maintains blood flow to branch arteries, and preserves perfusion to great vessels. This universal design allows deployment in various aortic regions including the ascending aorta and aortic arch without compromising blood flow to critical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3448312B1Dissection prosthesis system
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 MEDTRONIC VASCULAR INC
  • EP3448312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3448312B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3448312B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dissection prosthesis system for implantation within a blood vessel includes a first prosthesis and a second prosthesis. The first prosthesis includes a first stent ring, a second stent ring, a first graft material band coupling the first stent ring to the second stent ring, a third stent ring, and a second graft material band coupling the second stent ring to the third stent ring. The second stent ring includes a plurality of openings that enable fluid flow from a lumen of the first prosthesis through the plurality of openings. The graft material bands may include band openings disposed therethrough to enable fluid flow from the lumen through the band openings. The second prosthesis includes a stent coupled to a graft material. The second prosthesis is configured to be disposed within the lumen of the first prosthesis.