Spiral Aneurysm Coil Atomized Bioactive Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional intracranial aneurysm coils face limitations such as compaction, aneurysm recanalization, and biologically inert materials, which compromise mechanical flexibility and effectiveness in treating intracranial aneurysms.

Innovation Solution

A bioactive polymer coating is applied selectively to the surfaces of spiral intracranial aneurysm coils using an atomized deposition process, preserving mechanical properties and allowing for precise placement while promoting wound healing and drug delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polymeric coating is formed on a spiral coil, then bioactivity is enhanced, but mechanical flexibility is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebioactivityVSAvoidmechanical flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies polymeric coating selectively to specific surfaces of the spiral coil rather than uniformly across all surfaces. The coating is applied to outer surfaces while leaving grooves and internal surfaces uncoated, creating localized zones with different properties. This resolves the contradiction by providing bioactivity where needed (on outer surfaces contacting tissue) while preserving mechanical flexibility in uncoated groove regions that allow coil compression and expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coating application is segmented into discrete zones on the coil surface. By dividing the coil surface into coated regions (outer surfaces) and uncoated regions (grooves and internal surfaces), the patent achieves both bioactivity enhancement and mechanical flexibility preservation. The segmented coating approach allows different functional properties in different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a polymeric coating is applied to the spiral coil, then bioactive agent delivery is improved, but coil diameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebioactive agent deliveryVSAvoidcoil diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies coating only to specific outer surfaces of the spiral coil while leaving grooves and internal surfaces uncoated. This localized coating strategy provides bioactive agent delivery capability where it is most needed (on surfaces contacting the aneurysm sac) while minimizing the overall diameter increase that would occur with full-surface coating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of coating the entire coil surface, the patent applies coating partially to selected surfaces only. This partial action approach provides sufficient bioactive agent delivery functionality without the excessive diameter increase that would result from complete surface coating, achieving the desired effect with minimal side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the grooves of the spiral coil are coated, then coating coverage is increased, but mechanical flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating coverageVSAvoidmechanical flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately creates different coating qualities in different locations: outer surfaces receive full coating coverage for bioactivity, while grooves are left uncoated to preserve mechanical flexibility. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coating process is segmented to distinguish between coated regions (outer surfaces) and uncoated regions (grooves). This segmentation allows the patent to achieve adequate coating coverage on critical surfaces while maintaining flexibility in the groove regions that are essential for mechanical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enhances the biological activity of the coils, reduces recanalization rates, and maintains mechanical flexibility, enabling effective treatment of intracranial aneurysms with improved anatomical results.

Implementation Method 1

a deposition nozzle for atomizing a polymeric coating into a plurality of droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 2

atomizing the polymeric coating into a plurality of droplets at a set distance from the spiral coil; and coating an external surface of the spiral coil with the plurality of polymeric coating droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerosol deposition: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS9950341B2Systems and methods for fabricating spiral coils with atomized bioactive coatings

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

Systems and methods for coating of spiral intracranial aneurysm coils, e.g., a Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC), such that only selected surfaces along the spiral coil are coated with a polymer via an atomized polymer deposition process. The resulting device is a detachable aneurysm coil system which preserves the mechanical geometry and flexibility of the coil, and delivers specific agents to promote wound healing.