Self-Sealing Perfusion Branch for Aortic Stent Grafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent grafts used for treating thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms often result in paraplegia due to occlusion of intercostal and lumbar arteries during surgery, requiring a separate procedure to seal perfusion branches and prevent blood flow to the aneurysm.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing perfusion branch system using a biodegradable attachment and biasing elements, such as dissolvable sutures or clips, that automatically seals after a predetermined period, eliminating the need for additional surgical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a perfusion branch is used to maintain blood circulation to spinal arteries during surgery, then the risk of paraplegia is reduced, but a separate procedure is required to seal the perfusion branch from the aneurysm
Solution Approach 1:
The perfusion branch incorporates a self-sealing mechanism where a biodegradable attachment (suture, staple, clip, or adhesive) automatically seals the perfusion branch from the aneurysm after a predetermined period. This eliminates the need for a separate surgical procedure to occlude the perfusion branch, as the device performs the sealing function autonomously through the degradation of the biodegradable attachment material.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable attachment changes its physical and chemical properties over time through biodegradation. The attachment transitions from an intact state that maintains perfusion branch patency to a degraded state that allows automatic sealing, utilizing temporal parameter changes in material integrity to achieve the sealing function without additional intervention.
2Productivity
If a biodegradable attachment is used to enable automatic sealing, then additional surgical intervention is eliminated, but the device requires a predetermined degradation period
Solution Approach 1:
The biodegradable attachment is pre-configured with a predetermined degradation timeline that is designed to match the clinical requirements. The attachment begins its degradation process immediately upon implantation, and the sealing action occurs automatically at the predetermined time point, eliminating the need for delayed surgical intervention while accounting for the necessary degradation period.
3Reliability
If the perfusion branch remains open to perfuse the aneurysm sac, then blood circulation to spinal arteries is maintained, but blood flow to the aneurysm must be prevented after surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The perfusion branch system autonomously transitions from an open state that permits blood flow during surgery to a sealed state that prevents blood flow to the aneurysm. The biodegradable attachment self-seals the perfusion branch from the aneurysm after the predetermined period, eliminating the need for separate surgical occlusion and automatically preventing the harmful effect of blood flow to the aneurysm.
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 self-closing perfusion branch system reduces the risk of paraplegia by maintaining blood flow to spinal arteries during surgery and automatically sealing without requiring a secondary procedure, enhancing surgical efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The biodegradable attachment may comprise one or more dissolvable sutures, staples, clips, adhesive or the like
Implementation Method 2
The self-sealing component may include a biasing element. The biasing element may comprise bi-stable properties
Data Source
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AI summary
A prosthesis (10) having a tubular body of a biocompatible graft material having a proximal end (12), a distal end (14), a lumen therethrough, and a sidewall. The prosthesis (10) includes at least one perfusion branch extending from the sidewall of the tubular body and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough, where the lumen of the perfusion branch is in temporary fluid communication with the lumen of the tubular body. The perfusion branch comprises a self-sealing component, that after predetermined period of time precludes fluid flow out of the distal end of the perfusion branch.