Serial Endoanchor Delivery for Vessel Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endovascular stent grafts face challenges in securing and sealing due to compromised landing zones, leading to potential leaks and movement, and existing endoanchor delivery systems struggle with proper positioning and repetitive deployment sequences, complicating procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endoanchor delivery system with a series of endoanchors loaded into an applier catheter, allowing for sequential deployment without removal, utilizing shape memory materials and radiopaque markers for precise positioning, and fixtures to maintain alignment during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple endoanchors are deployed sequentially without removal of the applier catheter, then procedural efficiency and accuracy are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple endoanchors are nested within the same applier catheter in a serial configuration, allowing sequential deployment without removing the catheter. The endoanchors are positioned one after another along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, with each anchor capable of being deployed independently while remaining within the confines of the catheter structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoanchor delivery system is segmented into multiple independent endoanchor units that can be deployed sequentially. Each endoanchor is a separate component that can be positioned and deployed at different locations along the blood vessel, allowing for multiple fixation points without requiring multiple separate delivery procedures.
2Ease of operation
If endoanchors are loaded into the applier catheter in a loaded state with straight flat shape, then ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases for shape transformation
Solution Approach 1:
The endoanchors are constructed from shape memory materials that can change their physical state between a straight flat configuration during loading and a helical flat configuration during deployment. This parameter change in shape allows the same component to serve both ease of operation during loading and precise positioning during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoanchors transition from a static straight shape during loading to a dynamic helical shape during deployment. This dynamic transformation is achieved through shape memory materials that respond to temperature or mechanical stimulation to change their configuration, allowing the structure to adapt to different operational requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixtures are used to maintain alignment during deployment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Fixtures are introduced as intermediary elements within the applier catheter to maintain alignment and positioning accuracy during endoanchor deployment. These fixtures act as guides and constraints that ensure the endoanchors are positioned correctly relative to each other and to the target location in the blood vessel.
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
Enhances procedural efficiency and accuracy by enabling multiple endoanchors to be deployed successively, reducing procedure time and improving fixation and sealing of stent grafts to blood vessel walls.
Implementation Method 1
The first endoanchor may be formed of a shape memory material to set the pre-set helical, flat shape
Data Source
AI summary
An endoanchor delivery system comprising a handle system, an applier catheter, and a series of endoanchors. The applier catheter extends from the handle system and defines a lumen therein. The series of endoanchors are loaded into the lumen of the applier catheter at the distal end thereof and are disposed along a longitudinal axis of the applier catheter in a loaded state. The series of endoanchors include a first endoanchor and a second endoanchor. The first endoanchor is located distalmost the applier catheter in the loaded state. The second endoanchor is located inward the first endoanchor along the longitudinal axis of the applier catheter. The first endoanchor has a straight, flat shape in the loaded state. The first endoanchor has a helical, flat shape in a deployed state in which the first endoanchor anchors an implant to a blood vessel wall.