Extendable Side-Branch Stent-Graft for Aneurysm Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent-grafts for treating vascular diseases, particularly aneurysmal and occlusive conditions, often lead to ischemic complications due to inadequate accommodation of side-branches, resulting in compromised blood supply and leakage issues, especially in complex anatomical regions like the aortic arch and aorto-iliac aneurysms.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic conduit system with a main member and a side-branch member, where the side-branch member is extendable and deployable within a side-branch vessel, allowing for flexible configuration and deployment to maintain blood flow while excluding aneurysms, using distensible materials to minimize foreshortening and recoil, and incorporating stents and grafts for support and fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stent-grafts are used to exclude aneurysms, then aneurysm isolation is achieved, but side-branch blood flow is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft is divided into multiple segments including a main body and extendable side-branch members. Each side-branch member can be independently deployed to accommodate specific side-branch vessels, allowing selective preservation of blood flow to critical side-branches while maintaining aneurysm exclusion in the main vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The side-branch members are designed to be extendable from the main stent-graft body. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt to complex anatomical geometries by extending side-branches to match the patient's specific vascular anatomy, enabling blood flow preservation to side-branches that would otherwise be isolated by a conventional fixed stent-graft.
2Manufacturing precision
If stent-grafts are extended into external iliac artery to treat aorto-iliac aneurysms, then aneurysm coverage is improved, but internal iliac artery blood supply is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft includes a main body in the aorta and extendable side-branch members that can be deployed into the internal iliac arteries. This segmentation allows the main body to cover the aneurysmal segment while the extendable members preserve blood flow to the internal iliac arteries, preventing pelvic and leg ischemia.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the stent-graft have different functions: the main body provides aneurysm exclusion and coverage, while the extendable side-branch members provide selective blood flow preservation to specific side-branch vessels like the internal iliac arteries. This local differentiation of function allows simultaneous achievement of complete aneurysm coverage and preservation of critical side-branch perfusion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distensible materials are used in the prosthetic conduit, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic conduit is constructed as a composite structure combining distensible graft materials with rigid or semi-rigid stent frameworks. The distensible materials provide flexibility and adaptability to conform to various bifurcation geometries, while the stent framework provides structural stability and radial strength to maintain the conduit open and prevent collapse.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.