Segmented Vascular Occlusion System with Nested Release Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular occlusion systems lack flexibility in deploying occlusive medical devices of varying lengths and stiffnesses to effectively occlude arteries and treat conditions like arterial venous malformations.
Innovation Solution
A vascular occlusion system comprising an elongate shaft with a lumen and a microcatheter, featuring a plurality of occlusive medical devices of different lengths and stiffnesses, releasably connected to the shaft via a release wire. The system allows for sequential release of these devices at a treatment site within the vasculature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed-length occlusive device is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot effectively occlude arteries of varying sizes and treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusive system is divided into multiple discrete occlusive devices of different lengths that can be independently selected and deployed. Each occlusive device is a separate component with specific length characteristics, allowing the operator to choose the appropriate device size for the target artery without requiring a single complex adjustable device.
Solution Approach 2:
Different occlusive devices are designed with specific local characteristics (lengths) suited for different arterial sizes and treatment requirements. The system provides locally optimized occlusive devices rather than a single generalized device, enabling precise matching of device properties to specific treatment sites.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple occlusive devices of different lengths are carried in the catheter, then treatment flexibility is improved, but the catheter volume and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple occlusive devices of different lengths are nested within the catheter lumen during delivery. The smaller occlusive devices can be positioned inside or alongside larger devices, allowing the catheter to carry a variety of occlusive device sizes without proportionally increasing catheter outer diameter. This nested arrangement enables flexible device selection while maintaining a relatively compact delivery system.
3Ease of manufacture
If occlusive devices are pre-assembled in fixed combinations, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to customize treatment length is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusive system is segmented into multiple independent occlusive devices rather than pre-assembled fixed combinations. Each device can be manufactured separately with standardized features, simplifying manufacturing processes while enabling flexible customization during the procedure by selecting and deploying individual devices or combinations based on treatment requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vascular occlusion system may include a microcatheter configured to navigate a vasculature, an elongate shaft slidably disposed within a lumen of the microcatheter, the elongate shaft having a lumen extending from a proximal end of the elongate shaft to a distal end of the elongate shaft, a plurality of occlusive medical devices releasably connected to the elongate shaft, and a release wire slidably disposed within the elongate shaft and at least a portion of each of the plurality of occlusive medical devices. The release wire secures each of the plurality of occlusive medical devices to the distal end of the elongate shaft when the release wire is disposed within at least a portion of each of the plurality of occlusive medical devices.