Split Tube Detachment System for Reliable Vascular Coil Deployment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current detachment systems for deploying vascular occlusion devices in the vasculature lack a reliable mechanism for ensuring complete release and deployment of the device, often requiring complex control wires and lacking a positive means for separation, which can lead to incomplete deployment and increased risk during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A detachment system comprising a hollow distal tube with a compressible portion that moves between compressed and elongated conditions, coupled with a loop wire and locking member, ensures secure engagement and controlled release of the implantable medical device, utilizing a weldable loop wire to fix the engagement system and allow automatic return to the elongated condition for deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a control wire is used to disengage clasps by retracting proximally, then the device can be detached from the delivery system, but there is no positive means for separating the disengaged clasps, leading to incomplete deployment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete release and deployment of the coilVSAvoiddetachment system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into two separate tubular carriers (proximal and distal tubes) that can be independently manipulated. The distal tube contains the compressible section that directly contacts and pushes the coil, while the proximal tube provides structural support. This segmentation allows the distal tube to be detached and compressed independently to ensure complete coil deployment without requiring complex control wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distal tube incorporates a compressible section that can dynamically change its shape and size. When pushed by the engagement system, this compressible section transitions from an expanded state (holding the coil) to a compressed state (releasing the coil). This dynamic property ensures reliable detachment and complete deployment of the coil without requiring additional separation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a single tubular carrier with a single compressible section is used, then the structure is simpler, but the release speed and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease speedVSAvoidtubular carrier structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single tubular carrier is segmented into two distinct tubes: a proximal tube and a distal tube. The distal tube contains the compressible section and directly interacts with the coil, while the proximal tube provides structural support and houses the engagement system. This segmentation enables faster and more reliable release by allowing the distal tube to be independently compressed and detached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement system acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers force from the operator to the distal tube's compressible section. This engagement system includes components that can push the distal tube to compress the compressible section, ensuring rapid and complete coil deployment without requiring direct manual manipulation of the compressible section itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If complex control wires and mechanisms are used to ensure complete release, then deployment reliability improves, but the system becomes more expensive and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete deployment of the implantable deviceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The distal tube's compressible section is designed to automatically compress and release the coil through a simple pushing motion from the engagement system. The elastic properties of the compressible section provide the necessary force for complete coil deployment without requiring additional control wires, motors, or complex actuation mechanisms. This self-service approach ensures reliable deployment while keeping the system simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable distal tube with its compressible section is designed as a single-use component that is discarded after one procedure. This disposable nature allows for simpler design and manufacturing without the need for expensive, reusable, and highly complex control mechanisms. The low cost of the disposable distal tube makes the overall system more economical while maintaining high reliability for complete coil deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system provides a rapid and reliable method for deploying vascular occlusion devices, ensuring complete release and reducing the risk of trauma to surrounding tissue by using a simple and inexpensive locking mechanism that automatically returns to the elongated condition for secure deployment.

Implementation Method 1

a compressible portion of the distal tube itself axially movable from a compressed condition to an elongated condition, between the proximal and distal ends

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4147650A1Implantable medical device detachment system with split tube and cylindrical coupling
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC
  • EP4147650A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~4
  • EP4147650A1 patent drawingFigure 5A~8
  • EP4147650A1 patent drawingFigure 9~10

AI summary

A method of constructing a detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel is presented. The method includes forming a compressible portion on a distal tube, engaging an implantable medical device with an engagement system, extending the engagement system through the distal tube such that the implantable medical device is distal of a distal end of the distal tube, applying a force to the engagement system to compress the compressible portion to a compressed state, fixing the engagement system to the distal tube to maintain the compressed state of the compressible portion, and joining a proximal end of the distal tube to a distal end of a proximal tube. The engagement system can include a loop wire that is fixed to the distal tube and engages the medical device.