Segmented Stent with Articulated Connectors for Vessel Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stents face challenges in being easily contracted and removed from body conduits without causing trauma to vessel walls, especially when covered with secretions, due to their geometry obstructing the process.

Innovation Solution

A stent design featuring wave-shaped segment struts with axially protruding widened head ends and V-shaped compensating sections allows for smooth contraction and removal, with flexible connector struts and concavely rounded side grooves facilitating the process, reducing trauma and enabling easy insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the stent has a rigid supporting structure to maintain vessel patency, then it provides adequate structural support, but it becomes difficult to contract and remove from the body conduit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidcontraction and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is divided into multiple individual struts (first struts, second struts, third struts) that can move independently relative to each other. The connector struts join these struts at articulation points, allowing the stent to be segmented into movable units that can contract collectively while maintaining structural support when expanded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stent transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated mechanism. The connector struts enable relative movement between the first, second, and third struts, allowing the stent to dynamically change shape between expanded (supporting) and contracted (removable) states while maintaining structural integrity in both configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the stent geometry is simplified for easy removal, then it can be contracted more easily, but it loses the ability to provide adequate structural support in the vessel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval easeVSAvoidstructural support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the stent is expanded to a large diameter for effective vessel support, then it provides adequate scaffolding, but it cannot be pulled back into a small-diameter catheter for removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel scaffoldingVSAvoidstent diameter for catheter insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stent can be contracted into a compact configuration that fits within the catheter for removal. The articulated structure allows the struts to fold or collapse inward, enabling the expanded stent to be nested within the smaller catheter diameter during the removal process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the stent has fixed geometric sections for structural stability, then it maintains consistent support, but protruding sections obstruct the removal process and cause trauma to vessel walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvessel wall trauma during removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8652196B2Stent

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A stent and associated method for implanting a stent within a body conduit are provided. According to one embodiment, the stent includes a plurality of annular segments arranged peripherally along a longitudinal axis to define opposing free ends, wherein each annular segment includes a plurality of interconnected segment struts. The stent also includes a plurality of connector struts each extending along the longitudinal axis between, and connecting, adjacent annular segments, wherein each connector strut includes an axial section and a compensating section. In addition, at least a portion of each of the segment struts, axial sections, and compensating sections is curved.