Sheet-Metal Vena Cava Filter With Shape-Memory Petals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vena cava filters are complex in construction and require multiple components, which complicates their manufacturing and deployment, while existing solutions do not adequately address the need for simple, effective devices to capture emboli and clots in patients at risk of pulmonary embolism.
Innovation Solution
A filter device made of unitary shape memory metal, featuring a hub with radially extending struts forming petals with inner ribs and barbs for secure vessel engagement, allowing for a simplified design and enhanced clot capture capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If filters are constructed with multiple separate components (struts, hub, collet), then the device can be assembled and deployed, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (struts, hub, and collet) into a single unitary structure formed from one continuous piece of wire. The wire forms radially extending struts that connect to a central hub, with the wire continuing through the hub to form a collet that gathers the strut ends together. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these components, directly resolving the technical contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If filters use individual wire pieces for struts collected by a separate hub, then the structure can be assembled, but the construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hub and collet into a single integrated feature formed by one continuous wire. The wire extends radially to form struts, connects to a central hub, continues through the hub, and terminates in a collet that gathers the strut ends. This unitary construction eliminates separate assembly steps for attaching the collet to the hub and struts, directly addressing the contradiction between structural simplicity and assembly complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a unitary construction is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the device geometry must be more complex to achieve same functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary wire structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: radially extending struts for filter function, a central hub for structural support, and a collet for gathering strut ends. This segmentation allows the single continuous wire to achieve the functional complexity of multiple components while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a unified construction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses three-dimensional wire forming techniques to create a complex spatial geometry from a single linear material. The wire is formed into radially extending struts that connect to a central hub, with the wire continuing through the hub to form a collet. This dimensional transformation allows a simple linear wire to become a geometrically complex three-dimensional structure that performs multiple functions.
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 filter device provides effective emboli capture and secure anchoring within the vessel, minimizing migration risks and facilitating retrieval, with a streamlined manufacturing process and improved geometries for enhanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
the filter device being of unitary construction and being cut from a substantially planar piece of a shape memory metal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes filter devices for deployment to body vessels where clots or emboli may need to be captured, particularly the vena cava. The filter device is of unitary construction, having been cut from a substantially planar sheet of a metal, in some instances a shape memory metal. The device has a construction including a plurality of petals, the petals containing an inner rib which curves in the deployed state. A method of making a filter device is also disclosed.