Segmented Radial Occluder for Minimally Invasive Vessel Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for occluding hollow body organs and clamping tissue layers are often cumbersome and require significant post-operative care, making them less desirable for quick and minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive occluder device with two cooperative parts that expand radially to grip vessels or tissue, allowing for direct clamping or serpentine constraining, using visualization techniques for precise deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used for occluding blood vessels and clamping tissue layers, then reliable occlusion is achieved, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and requires significant post-operative care
Solution Approach 1:
The occluder is divided into two separate parts (first part and second part) that are deployed independently on opposite sides of the vessel, then brought together to complete the occlusion. This segmentation allows for minimally invasive deployment through separate access points while achieving reliable vessel closure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each part of the occluder includes legs that can be nested within a delivery catheter during insertion, then expanded radially outside the catheter to engage the vessel wall. The nested configuration enables minimally invasive delivery while the expanded configuration provides secure vessel occlusion.
2Loss of time
If a minimally invasive approach is used, then post-operative care is reduced, but visualization and precise deployment become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The occluder parts and delivery system are designed with radiopaque materials that appear distinct under fluoroscopic imaging, enabling real-time visualization of device deployment and positioning during the minimally invasive procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates features that provide visual feedback through imaging systems (fluoroscopy, ultrasound) to confirm proper positioning of the occluder parts and engagement with the vessel wall, ensuring accurate deployment without requiring open surgery.
3Reliability
If the occluder legs are brought together in diametrically-expanded configuration, then effective vessel occlusion is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion function is divided between two separate occluder parts, each with its own set of legs. This segmentation simplifies the deployment process for each individual part while achieving reliable occlusion when both parts are positioned together across the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The occluder legs are designed to be dynamically deployable from a compressed delivery state to an expanded occlusion state. The legs can be radially expanded outside the catheter and then brought together to engage the vessel wall, providing adaptability during the procedure.
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 quick and effective occlusion of blood vessels and tissue layers with minimal anesthetic and reduced post-operative care, minimizing fluid leakage and tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
each of which includes a plurality of legs configured to assume (i) a diametrically reduced configuration for disposition within the lumen of a tube, and (ii) a diametrically expanded configuration in which the legs are extended radially
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for occluding hollow body structures, such as blood vessels, and for attaching tissue layers together by providing implantable elements on opposite sides of the structure or tissue layers and drawing the implants together to occlude the body structure and/or bring the tissue layers together. The implants are deliverable in a low-profile configuration and self-expand to an enlarged configuration in which at least apportion of the implants are radially oriented. The implantable elements are delivered by transfixing the body structure, then releasing the implants on opposite sides of the body structure and drawing the implants together to effect an occlusion or attachment. The implants are configured to apply oppositely directed forces to opposite surfaces of the tissue layers at alternate, circumferentially spaced locations so that radially oriented portions may constrain the tissue in a serpentine pattern. The implants grip the tissue in a manner that defines a pressure zone about the transfixion aperture that prevents leakage from the aperture Alternately, the relative rotational positions of the implants may be adjusted to provide in a direct clamping of the tissue layers.