Segmented Delivery Catheter for Low-Profile Stent Graft Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endovascular devices for treating aneurysms often have large transverse profiles and excessive lateral stiffness, complicating delivery and requiring extensive inventory of stent grafts to accommodate varied patient sizes and vessel morphologies, limiting minimally invasive treatment availability.

Innovation Solution

A delivery system with a flexible, low-profile catheter that includes a fill tube retention mechanism and release wire system for securing and releasing an inflatable endoluminal prosthesis, allowing adaptable deployment across a range of patient anatomies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If existing endovascular devices use systems with large transverse profiles (up to 24 French), then the devices can provide sufficient structural support and strength, but the lateral stiffness becomes excessive which complicates the delivery process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoiddelivery process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into multiple segments with varying degrees of flexibility. The catheter includes a proximal section and a distal section, where the distal section has reduced profile and stiffness for ease of navigation, while the proximal section provides structural support for device deployment. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the delivery catheter have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific requirements. The distal tip area has reduced lateral stiffness and smaller transverse profile for navigating tortuous anatomy, while the proximal area maintains higher stiffness for controlled device release. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall strength and local maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If facilities maintain a large inventory of stent grafts in various sizes to accommodate varied patient vessels, then proper sizing can be achieved for favorable clinical results, but the inventory becomes large and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesizing adaptabilityVSAvoidinventory size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through adjustable release mechanisms and expandable stent grafts that can adapt to different vessel sizes during the procedure. The self-expanding stent graft with adjustable deployment allows the same base model to accommodate varied patient anatomies, reducing the need for extensive size inventories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter is designed with universal features that can accommodate multiple stent graft sizes and configurations through a single system platform. The standardized delivery mechanism with adjustable release wires and expandable stent structures enables one catheter design to serve multiple sizing requirements, reducing inventory diversity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom size stent grafts are manufactured to fit specific patient requirements, then proper sizing can be achieved, but intervention is delayed while awaiting custom manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom sizingVSAvoidintervention delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Stent grafts are pre-manufactured in a standardized set of sizes that cover the majority of patient requirements. The delivery system includes pre-configured release mechanisms that allow immediate deployment of the appropriate pre-made size during the procedure, eliminating delays associated with custom manufacturing. Only rare cases requiring sizes outside the standard range would face delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the delivery catheter uses a flexible low profile design, then it can pass through tortuous anatomy and guiding catheters, but the column strength for percutaneous advancement may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation through tortuous anatomyVSAvoidcolumn strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is segmented into a proximal section with higher column strength for percutaneous advancement and a distal section with reduced profile for navigation. The segmented design allows each portion to be optimized independently - the proximal section maintains strength for penetration and positioning, while the distal section becomes flexible and low-profile for navigating tortuous vasculature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter exhibits asymmetric mechanical properties along its length, with stiffer sections positioned proximally and more flexible sections positioned distally. This asymmetric design resolves the contradiction by having different regions serve different functions - the asymmetric stiffness distribution allows the catheter to be both strong enough for percutaneous delivery and flexible enough for tortuous navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20250352376A1Delivery catheter for endovascular device

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 TRIVASCULAR2 INC

AI summary

Some embodiments relate in part to endovascular prostheses and delivery catheter systems and methods for deploying same. Embodiments may be directed more specifically to graft bodies having self-expanding members, including inflatable graft bodies, and catheters and methods for deploying same within the body of a patient.