Semispherical Braided Aneurysm Implant for Wide-Neck Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intravascularly delivered devices for treating aneurysms, such as embolic coils, face challenges in effectively treating aneurysms with wide necks or bifurcations, often leading to recanalization or insufficient blood flow inhibition, and lack repositionability.
Innovation Solution
A tubular braid implant with a predetermined shape, including a pinched end and inversions, that can be deployed to form a semispherical shape within an aneurysm, providing stable anchoring and reducing blood flow through multiple layers across the aneurysm neck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If embolic coils are used to treat aneurysm neck, then blood flow inhibition is achieved, but blood flow in adjoining vessels may be impeded and repositioning is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular braid implant is designed with superelastic properties that allow it to be dynamically repositioned after initial deployment. The braid can be crimped onto a delivery catheter, deployed into the aneurysm, and then repositioned by manipulating the delivery catheter, providing operational flexibility that fixed coils lack.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant uses a flexible tubular braid structure that can conform to the aneurysm geometry and be manipulated during deployment. This flexible structure allows for repositioning by crimping and expanding, unlike rigid coil structures that cannot be moved once implanted.
2Reliability
If multiple embolic coils are used to fill the aneurysm sac, then occlusion is achieved, but the aneurysm may recanalize or compact due to poor coiling
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular braid implant is segmented into multiple loops or braided sections that work together to provide stable occlusion. This segmented structure prevents recanalization by creating multiple barriers to blood flow, unlike single-coil approaches that may compact or allow flow persistence.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant combines superelastic alloy material with a tubular braided structure to create a composite device that provides both mechanical stability and physiological functionality. This composite structure maintains its configuration better than individual coils, preventing compaction and recanalization.
3Reliability
If the aneurysm entrance is overpacked with coils, then occlusion is improved, but blood flow in adjoining vessels is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular braid implant is designed to concentrate its occlusive effect locally at the aneurysm neck and entrance, while its flexible structure allows it to conform to the local geometry without extending into adjoining vessels. This localized action provides effective occlusion without the downstream flow obstruction caused by overpacked coils.
4Reliability
If ancillary devices such as stents or balloons are used, then coil mass support is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular braid implant is a self-supporting structure that provides both the occlusive function and the structural support function in a single device. The braided configuration inherently supports itself without requiring separate stents or balloons, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 tubular braid implant effectively occludes the aneurysm neck, reducing pulsatile blood flow rates and maintaining thrombosis within the aneurysm, while allowing for repositioning and adaptability to various aneurysm morphologies.
Implementation Method 1
The tubular braid can be stable in an implanted shape, that is based on the predetermined shape, when the tubular braid is constricted by a substantially spherical cavity
Implementation Method 2
When treating the aneurysm neck, blood flow into the entrance of the aneurysm is inhibited, inducing venous stasis in the aneurysm and facilitating a natural formation of a thrombotic mass within the aneurysm
Implementation Method 3
When filling an aneurysm sac, the embolic material clots the blood, creating a thrombotic mass within the aneurysm
Data Source
AI summary
An example aneurysm implant can include a tubular braid that can have an open end, a pinched end, and a predetermined shape. In the predetermined shape, the tubular braid can have three segments and two inversions, one of the three segments extending between the two inversions and forming a sack. Two of the segments can form a substantially semispherical shape. The tubular braid can be implanted in an implanted shape based on the predetermined shape. The substantially semispherical shape of the tubular braid can aid in decreasing a pulsatile blood inflow rate and a pulsatile blood outflow rate for a substantially spherical aneurysm cavity.