Segmented Balloon Cover for Multi-Inflation Endovascular Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drug-coated endovascular medical devices are configured for a single treatment via a single inflation of an expandable member with a single uniform functional surface, requiring invasive procedures for multiple treatments at a therapeutic site.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a catheter and an expandable member featuring a longitudinally movable cover segmented into multiple regions, each with a specific therapeutic agent coating, inflation profile, and functional surface, allowing repeated inflations for multiple treatments without removal from the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single expandable member with a single uniform functional surface is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but only a single treatment can be provided requiring invasive procedures for multiple treatments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple treatments capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple distinct regions (first region, second region, third region) along its longitudinal axis, with each region having different functional characteristics such as different therapeutic agent coatings or different surface properties. This segmentation allows the single expandable member to provide multiple different treatments at different locations along the vessel wall during repeated inflations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is configured to be movable relative to the expandable member, allowing it to be repositioned longitudinally between different inflated states. This dynamic configuration enables different regions of the cover to be positioned over the expandable member during different inflations, providing multiple treatments without requiring device removal or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional drug-coated endovascular medical devices are used for single treatment, then the device is simple to operate, but invasive surgical procedures are required for multiple treatments at the same site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidtime for multiple invasive procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables continuous treatment delivery by maintaining the expandable member in place within the vessel and sequentially positioning different regions of the cover over it through repeated inflations. This eliminates the need to withdraw and reinsert the device for each treatment, allowing multiple therapeutic interventions to be delivered in a continuous manner during a single procedural session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single uniform functional surface is used on the expandable member, then the manufacturing process is simple, but varied therapeutic agents and functional surfaces cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaried therapeutic agentsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cover are assigned different functional properties, such as different therapeutic agent coatings (e.g., first therapeutic agent on first region, second therapeutic agent on second region) or different surface characteristics. This local differentiation allows varied therapeutic interventions to be delivered from a single device while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes for each individual region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260013864A1Multiple inflation endovascular medical device

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

A medical device may include a catheter, an expandable member, a cover, and an actuator. The catheter may include a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends, and a cover lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end. The expandable member may include proximal and distal ends and may be disposed on a distal section of the catheter. The cover may include a first region that may be disposed along the expandable member, and a second region that may extend along a length of the catheter beyond the proximal end of the expandable member towards the proximal end of the catheter. A first end of the cover may invert into the cover lumen. The actuator may be coupled to the first end of the cover and configured to move the first end of the cover towards the proximal end of the catheter along the longitudinal axis of the catheter.