Segmented Seal Bodies for Blood Vessel Implant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for sealing around implants in blood vessels, such as endovalves, face challenges in achieving a secure and adaptable seal due to variability in patient anatomy and difficulty in accurately positioning foldable segments to address leaks around the valve commissures, leading to inefficiencies in blood flow and potential heart failure.
Innovation Solution
A device with releasable seal bodies having an angular extent of less than 360°, attached to release members that can be deployed and adjusted to fit the specific morphology of each patient, allowing for precise placement between the implant and the blood vessel wall, thereby enhancing the seal around the implant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foldable segments are used to seal around the endoprosthesis, then leaks around the valve commissures are reduced, but the difficulty in accurately positioning the segments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple independent foldable segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be individually positioned and deployed. Each segment can be independently controlled to seal specific leak locations around the endoprosthesis, particularly at the valve commissures, while maintaining overall seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable segments are pre-positioned on the endoprosthesis in a compressed state before implantation. The operator can pre-plan the positioning strategy based on the patient's anatomy, and the segments are deployed in a controlled sequence after implantation to achieve accurate sealing without requiring complex real-time positioning adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If foldable segments are extended around the endoprosthesis to fill leaks, then the seal adaptability to patient morphology improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates foldable segments that can dynamically change their configuration from a compressed state during implantation to an extended state for sealing. The segments can be deployed radially outward to adapt to the specific anatomical morphology of the patient's blood vessel and valve commissures, providing versatility without requiring multiple different device sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable segments are constructed from flexible materials that can conform to the irregular surfaces of the blood vessel wall and valve commissures. The flexible nature of the segments allows them to adapt to various patient anatomies while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure that can be delivered through standard catheter-based delivery systems.
3Ease of operation
If the outer surface of the endoprosthesis is applied against the native valve seat, then the implantation simplicity is maintained, but leaks around the commissures persist
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple independent foldable segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be individually positioned and deployed. Each segment can be independently controlled to seal specific leak locations around the endoprosthesis, particularly at the valve commissures, while maintaining overall seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines the simplicity of endolumenal implantation with an additional sealing mechanism. The foldable segments are integrated into the endoprosthesis structure, allowing the device to maintain its minimally invasive delivery approach while adding the capability to address commissural leaks through controlled deployment of the segments after implantation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for placing a seal around an implant in a blood vessel, and associated treatment kit are provided. This device (24) includes a hollow sheath (60) having a longitudinal axis (Y-Y′), and at least one release member (62), which may be deployed with respect to the sheath (60) between a retracted position in the sheath (60) and an extracted position out of the sheath (60). The device (24) includes, for said or each release member (62), a seal body (64) having an angular extent strictly less than 360° around the longitudinal axis (Y-Y′), the seal body (64) being releasably attached onto the release member (62) so as to be released from the release member (62).