Segmented Mold for Simulated Blood Vessel with Calcified Narrowing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing simulated blood vessels are costly, difficult to reproduce, and cannot form calcified narrowed parts or allow for repeated use of molds, leading to complications in stent evaluation and training.
Innovation Solution
A bar-shaped mold made of stainless steel with a divisible center part, allowing for the formation of a simulated blood vessel with a calcified narrowed part without breaking the mold, enabling repeated use and precise control over solution concentrations and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the center part of the core is broken after molding to extract it, then the simulated blood vessel can be produced, but the core cannot be reused and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into two separable halves (first mold half and second mold half) that can be detached from each other. The core remains intact while the mold separates, allowing the core to be extracted without breaking and enabling the mold to be reused for multiple productions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic separable structure. The mold halves can move relative to each other (open and close) to accommodate core insertion, material injection, and core extraction, enabling repeated use of the same core and mold.
2Ease of manufacture
If the core is made of easily breakable material to facilitate extraction, then the core can be removed, but the core may be suddenly damaged before demolding causing unstable mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is segmented into two separable halves that can be detached to release the core. This eliminates the need for the core to be brittle, allowing use of stronger, more reliable core materials that won't suddenly damage during the molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold structure becomes dynamic and separable, allowing the core to be extracted intact after molding. This enables use of durable core materials that maintain structural integrity throughout the process, improving production stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol of different concentrations are injected to form the adipose equivalent narrowed part, then the narrowed part can be created, but the low concentration solution mixes with surrounding solution and may form adipose equivalent in non-lesioned regions
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into two separable halves that can be detached. This allows the core to be removed and replaced with a support structure that prevents solution mixing, enabling precise control over where the adipose equivalent material is deposited without affecting non-lesioned regions.
Solution Approach 2:
A support structure (replacing the core) acts as an intermediary element during the injection process. This support structure prevents the low concentration polyvinyl alcohol solution from mixing with surrounding solutions, ensuring the adipose equivalent narrowed part forms only in the desired lesioned region.
4Device complexity
If the mold is not divisible, then the structure is simple, but the mold cannot be reused and cost performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is segmented into two separable halves (first mold half and second mold half) that can be detached from each other. This segmentation enables the mold to be opened for core extraction and reused for multiple productions, improving cost performance despite the increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold transitions from a static monolithic structure to a dynamic separable structure. The ability to open and close the mold halves enables repeated use of the same mold for multiple simulated blood vessel productions, improving productivity and cost efficiency.
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
Enables cost-effective, reproducible production of simulated blood vessels with calcified narrowed parts, facilitating stent evaluation and training by allowing the same mold to be reused, and simulating actual lesioned blood vessels accurately.
Implementation Method 1
casts the mold, repeats freezing and unfreezing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
Disclosed is a method whereby a narrowed part similar to an actual lesioned blood vessel can be easily obtained. A mold (10) comprises first and second molded members (16, 17) having inner spaces (29, 40, 57) passing through in the axial direction and an axial member (18) detachably inserted through the individual inner spaces (29, 40, 57) of the individual molded members (16, 17). The molded members (16, 17) have tapered front parts (27, 27) respectively. In the state of facing the front ends (20) of the tapered front parts (27) to each other and thus forming a concave (12), the axial member (18) is attached. A first material (75) made of a mixed material comprising calcium carbonate or the like and silicone or the like is applied to the concave (12). A second material (76) such as silicone is applied to the entire outer periphery of the mold (10). After hardening the materials (75, 76), the mold (10) is withdrawn by detaching the axial member (18) and dividing the concave (12). Thus, a simulated blood vessel (78) having a simulated narrowed part of the blood vessel caused by calcification can be obtained.