Segmented Intravascular Delivery Shafts for Implant Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery methods for intravascular implants face challenges in delivering multiple implants of varying sizes and lengths, leading to potential mismatches with anatomical locations, increased procedural risks, and complications such as implant migration or vessel injury.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device with an inner and outer shaft, customizable to match the target vasculature, allowing for the deployment of longer implants with varying flexibility and zones, including a steerable distal tip and sensors for navigation, and features to prevent elongation and enhance maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple implants of varying sizes and lengths are delivered using current delivery methods, then the ability to treat different anatomical locations is improved, but implant mismatch and procedural risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is divided into distinct functional segments: an inner shaft for delivering the implant, an outer shaft for constraining the implant during delivery, and a balloon for deploying the implant. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to safely deliver implants of varying sizes and lengths to different anatomical locations without increasing procedural risks
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates localized features including a balloon with specific expansion characteristics at the deployment site, constrained implant sections within the outer shaft, and differentiated shaft regions with varying flexibility. These local quality variations enable precise control over implant delivery and deployment, ensuring proper fit and reducing mismatch risks while maintaining the ability to treat diverse anatomical locations
2Ease of operation
If implants are delivered using conventional methods, then delivery simplicity is maintained, but implant migration and vessel injury occur
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is pre-constrained within the outer shaft and positioned against the balloon before delivery to the target site. This preliminary action ensures the implant remains securely held in the correct orientation and position during navigation through the vasculature, preventing migration while maintaining a relatively simple delivery procedure. The pre-assembled configuration reduces the need for complex adjustments during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon serves as an intermediary mechanism between the delivered implant and the vessel wall. The balloon is inflated to deploy the implant in a controlled manner, ensuring proper apposition to the vessel wall without causing injury. This intermediary deployment mechanism prevents direct trauma to the vessel while maintaining procedural simplicity
3Device complexity
If shorter implants are used to treat vascular issues, then delivery complexity is reduced, but vessel collapse and turbulence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device incorporates dynamic elements including a balloon that can be inflated and deflated, and an outer shaft that can be extended and retracted. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt to different implant lengths and vessel anatomies without requiring multiple specialized devices, maintaining delivery simplicity while preventing vessel collapse and turbulence through controlled deployment of appropriately sized implants
Data Source
AI summary
Intravascular delivery systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative delivery device can include an inner shaft defining a lumen extending along a length of the delivery device, an outer shaft surrounding the inner shaft along at least a portion of the length of the delivery device, and a tip portion distal to the outer shaft. The inner shaft can include a recess configured to receive a self-expandable implant. The outer shaft can be retractable relative to the inner shaft, and can include a functional member that provides increased tensile strength to the outer shaft, and a coil. The tip portion can extend to a distal terminus of the delivery device and include a cross-sectional dimension that tapers in a distal direction.