Septal Defect Closure Device Radial Strut Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing septal defect closure devices often fail to ensure that the struts move radially outwards, which is crucial for effective closure, and may bend inwards during compression, leading to improper movement patterns and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The septal defect closure device features an elongated tubular member with strategically placed longitudinal slits forming struts with angled hinge sections, ensuring that the struts move radially outwards when compressed, and a central locking member to maintain the expanded configuration, preventing rotational movement and ensuring proper alignment for effective tissue contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tubular member is compressed to expand the struts, then the closure device can close the septal defect, but the struts may bend inwards instead of moving radially outwards
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular member is segmented by longitudinal slits to form multiple struts with hinge sections, allowing controlled radial expansion while maintaining structural integrity during compression
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge sections are pre-configured with specific geometries and orientations that predetermined the radial outward movement path of struts during compression, preventing inward bending before it occurs
2Adaptability or versatility
If the struts are made flexible to enable radial movement, then the closure device can adapt to tissue, but the struts may rotate or misalign during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge sections provide dynamic flexibility allowing struts to move radially outward in response to compression forces while maintaining controlled orientation through the hinge geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge sections have asymmetric geometries that guide strut movement in a specific radial outward direction while preventing rotational movement and maintaining proper alignment with the closure device axis
3Reliability
If the closure device is made expandable to close the defect, then the opening can be sealed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular member is divided into multiple struts by longitudinal slits, with each strut containing a hinge section that enables independent radial expansion while remaining part of an integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge sections are nested within the strut structure, with the articulation points positioned to allow radial expansion without requiring separate external mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity
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 device reliably expands to securely close septal defects by ensuring outward movement of struts, enhancing the reach and stability on the tissue, facilitating proper placement and healing, while minimizing the risk of inward bending and rotational issues.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge sections of the struts move radially out from the longitudinal central axis of the closure device
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A medical closure device (20) is provided, which comprises a tubular member (21) provided with a first set of struts (22) that extend between a first end portion (24) and a central portion (25) and second set of struts (23) that extend between said central portion and a second end portion (26), and each strut being provided with a section (27, 28) that can act as a hinge, such that said closure device being movable between a first elongated tubular configuration and a second configuration in which the first and second end portions have been moved towards each other such that the first and second struts have moved radially away from a longitudinal central axis of the closure device, and wherein the two arms of at least one of the strut sets, in the first configuration, are arranged with positive tilt angle to each other to thereby ensure that the second configuration can be achieved. In addition, the hinge region is constructed such that upon folding of the hinge, a middle longitudinally extended section (27b, 28b) will fold outward, thereby adding to the total reach of the device in supporting itself on the underlying tissue, creating a more secure final position of the device when sealing e.g. a septal defect in the heart.