Segmented Stent with Varying Crush Resistance for Iliac Vein Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stenting options for May-Thurner syndrome are limited by severe foreshortening, lack of flexibility, vessel wear, and early fatigue failure, which can lead to impaired blood flow and increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Innovation Solution
A radially expandable, tubular stent with varying crush resistance sections and a unique elliptical cross-section design that includes bilaterally symmetrical or asymmetrical stronger and weaker sections, allowing for selective crush resistance and minimal foreshortening while maintaining flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional stents are used to support the iliac vein, then the vein receives structural support, but severe foreshortening and lack of flexibility occur leading to vessel wear and early fatigue failure
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple sections with different crush resistance characteristics. The first section has lower crush resistance to accommodate vein curvature and movement, while the second section has higher crush resistance to provide structural support against compression from the overlying artery. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the overall stent durability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the stent are designed with locally optimized properties. The first section features a configuration that provides flexibility and conforms to the natural curvature of the vein, while the second section features a configuration that provides enhanced crush resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing vein support strength where needed while maintaining flexibility and reliability in other areas.
2Force
If high crush resistance is provided throughout the stent, then compression from the artery is resisted, but the stent becomes rigid and loses flexibility causing foreshortening
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is segmented into regions with different crush resistance characteristics. The first section has reduced crush resistance to maintain flexibility and adaptability, allowing the stent to conform to the natural anatomy and movement of the vein. The second section has increased crush resistance to counteract the compressive force from the overlying artery. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing high crush resistance only where structurally necessary while maintaining flexibility where anatomical constraints require adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent exhibits local quality variations in its mechanical properties. Sections closer to the arterial compression point have enhanced crush resistance to withstand the external compressive force. Sections away from the compression point maintain lower crush resistance to preserve flexibility and prevent foreshortening. This spatial variation in mechanical properties allows the stent to simultaneously achieve high crush resistance and maintain adaptability to anatomical variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stent is made rigid to prevent deformation, then structural integrity is maintained, but blood flow is impeded and peripheral arterial disease may develop
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into sections with different mechanical properties. The second section provides structural integrity and stability to prevent stent deformation and maintain vein patency. The first section maintains lower structural rigidity to minimize impediment to blood flow and reduce the risk of peripheral arterial disease. This segmentation allows the stent to provide structural support where necessary while minimizing harmful effects on blood flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the stent have locally optimized structural properties. The second section features a configuration that maximizes structural integrity and stability to prevent deformation under compression. The first section features a configuration that minimizes structural rigidity to facilitate smooth blood flow. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing structural integrity only where needed to prevent deformation while maintaining favorable blood flow characteristics in other regions.
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
The stent effectively supports the iliac vein, reducing the risk of foreshortening and vessel damage, while providing sufficient radial force to maintain blood flow and prevent clotting, thus addressing the limitations of existing stenting options.
Implementation Method 1
A radially expandable, tubular stent with varying crush resistance sections
Implementation Method 2
a first section having a first crush resistance force and a second section have a second crush resistance force, wherein the first crush resistance force is less than the second crush resistance force
Data Source
AI summary
A radially expandable, tubular stent, includes a first section having a first crush resistance force and a second section have a second crush resistance force, wherein the first crush resistance force is less than the second crush resistance force. The first section is connected to the second section to form a tube, connection of the first and second sections extending in an axial direction of the tube.