Self-Adjusting Occlusion Balloon for Stable Vessel Apposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vascular occlusion catheters struggle to maintain effective apposition with the vessel wall due to autoregulation changes, requiring continuous user intervention to adjust balloon volume and location, which is inefficient and potentially dangerous.

Innovation Solution

A vascular occlusion catheter with a semi-compliant or non-compliant occlusion balloon that automatically adjusts its shape in response to vasculature changes, maintaining apposition with the vessel wall without altering inflation medium volume, allowing for partial blood flow and reducing the need for continuous intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional occlusion balloon is used, then the balloon can occlude the vessel, but the balloon loses contact with the vessel wall due to autoregulation changes requiring continuous user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectivenessVSAvoiduser intervention frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon is designed with a compliant structure that allows it to automatically adapt to vessel diameter changes through its own mechanical properties. The balloon material and structural design enable it to self-adjust its shape and maintain contact with the vessel wall without requiring external control or user intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable occlusion and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The balloon transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, compliant structure that can change its shape and volume in response to vessel autoregulation. This dynamic adaptability allows the balloon to maintain effective occlusion despite physiological changes in vessel diameter, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the balloon volume is increased to maintain occlusion, then occlusion effectiveness improves, but the risk of vessel rupture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectivenessVSAvoidvessel rupture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon's compliance allows it to change its physical parameters (shape, volume distribution, contact pressure) in response to vessel diameter changes. This parameter adaptation enables the balloon to maintain effective occlusion through shape adjustment rather than volume increase, thereby maintaining occlusion effectiveness while reducing the risk of vessel rupture from excessive pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the balloon is made non-compliant for stable occlusion, then occlusion effectiveness improves, but the balloon cannot adapt to vasculature changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectivenessVSAvoidresponse to vasculature changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon is designed with specific local structural characteristics that provide controlled compliance in certain regions while maintaining overall structural integrity. This localized quality adjustment allows the balloon to adapt to vessel diameter changes through controlled deformation in specific areas while maintaining effective occlusion pressure where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 catheter maintains consistent partial occlusion by autonomously adapting to vasculature changes, ensuring effective blood flow management with reduced user intervention and minimizing the risk of vessel rupture.

Implementation Method 1

the occlusion balloon is configured to automatically adjust shape in response to diametric autoregulation of the target blood vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260041433A1Self-Adjusting Vascular Occlusion Catheter Balloon

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 PRYTIME MEDICAL DEVICES INC

AI summary

A vascular occlusion catheter is configured for insertion, and at least partial inflation, into a targel blood vessel. The vascular occlusion catheter includes a proximal catheter shaft, a distal catheter shaft, and a semi-compliant or non-compliant occlusion balloon mounted at a proximal side thereof to the proximal catheter shaft and mounted at a distal side thereof to the distal catheter shaft. A central catheter shaft extends through the proximal catheter shaft, the occlusion balloon and into the distal catheter shaft. The central catheter shaft is constructed as the primary load-bearing chassis of the vascular occlusion catheter. The occlusion balloon defines a blown diameter between approximately twenty-five and approximately thirty-five millimeters and the occlusion balloon defines a double-wall thickness of between approximately 0.0003″ and approximately 0.0020″.