Stent Coupling Assembly for Controlled Release and Full Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent engagement members face challenges in accommodating varying stent sizes within a catheter, leading to issues such as stent distortion and incomplete expansion due to friction fit and engagement with projections, especially in tortuous vessels.
Innovation Solution
A medical device delivery system featuring a coupling assembly with engagement and release members that allow for controlled expansion and disengagement of the stent, using resilient materials and spacers to facilitate smooth delivery and full expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional friction fit and projection engagement methods are used to secure stents in the catheter, then the stent can be delivered through the catheter, but the stent may become distorted and fail to expand completely
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling assembly with a resilient member acts as an intermediary between the stent and the delivery system. The resilient member engages with the stent during delivery and then releases it at the target site, enabling complete stent expansion without distortion while reducing manipulation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly transitions from a constrained state during delivery to an expanded state at the target site. The resilient member dynamically changes its configuration, allowing the stent to transition from a compressed delivered state to a fully expanded functional state without distortion
2Manufacturing precision
If the resilient member is positioned within the lumen of the elongate tube, then the delivery system can be navigated through vessels, but the stent cannot expand fully
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is prepared in a compressed state within the elongate tube lumen before delivery. This preliminary constrained state allows navigation through vessels, and then at the target site, the assembly is released to achieve full stent expansion with precise control
3Reliability
If the coupling assembly allows free movement of the stent, then the stent can expand completely, but unintended engagement may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member serves as a controlled intermediary that permits stent expansion while preventing unintended engagement. It maintains appropriate spacing and interaction between the stent and delivery system components, allowing expansion only when intended
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
Ensures complete stent expansion and prevents unintended engagement, reducing manipulation requirements and enhancing delivery efficiency in complex vascular environments.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member positioned about the core member, wherein the resilient member is movable between a first state in which an outer diameter of the resilient member is smaller than the outer diameter of the engagement member and a second state in which the outer diameter of the resilient member is at least as large as the outer diameter of the engagement member
Data Source
AI summary
Medical device delivery devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, a medical device delivery system includes a core member and a coupling assembly positioned about the core member. The coupling assembly may include an engagement member having projections configured to engage a medical device and a release member that is movable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A medical device can extend along the core member such that, when the release member is in the compressed configuration, the projections of the engagement member engage the medical device and when the release member is in the expanded configuration, the release member prevents the projections from engaging the medical device and/or facilitates expansion of the medical device.