Rotatable Plate Coupling for Precise Stent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering intravascular stents to treat vascular aneurysms and stenoses face challenges in precise positioning and controlled expansion, particularly due to the lack of effective mechanisms for managing the interaction between the stent and the delivery system components.
Innovation Solution
A stent delivery system featuring a core member with a coupling assembly comprising rotatably coupled plates or engagement members that engage the stent at specific longitudinal positions and tilts relative to the core member, allowing for precise control over stent advancement and expansion within the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional percutaneous stent delivery methods are used, then the stent can be delivered to the target location, but precise positioning and controlled expansion are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly incorporates rotatably coupled plates that can dynamically adjust their orientation relative to the core member. This dynamic configuration allows the engagement members to tilt and rotate, enabling precise positioning of the stent while maintaining controlled expansion capabilities during delivery and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is divided into multiple discrete engagement members (plates with projections) that can independently engage with the stent at different longitudinal positions. This segmentation allows for precise control over stent deployment by engaging multiple points along the stent length, improving positioning precision while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling assembly uses multiple engagement members, then controlled expansion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple engagement members are merged into a single integrated coupling assembly that rotates as a unified structure. The plates are rotatably coupled to the core member, allowing them to move together while maintaining their individual engagement functions. This merging reduces overall device complexity compared to having completely separate engagement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly serves multiple functions: it engages the stent at multiple longitudinal positions, allows for precise positioning through rotation, and controls expansion during deployment. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single assembly, the design avoids the complexity of separate mechanisms for each function.
3Measurement precision
If the projections are spaced at specific longitudinal distances, then positioning precision is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing between projections is designed as a variable parameter that can be adjusted based on the specific stent and application requirements. By making the projection spacing a configurable parameter rather than a fixed value, the system can optimize positioning precision for different scenarios while accommodating reasonable manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A stent delivery system includes a core member and a coupling assembly rotatably coupled to the core member distal segment. The coupling assembly includes first and second plates and first and second spacers. The first plate is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes an outer surface having three or more projections separated by recesses. The first spacer is coupled to the core member and disposed between the first plate and a proximal restraint. The second plate is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes an outer surface having three or more projections separated by recesses. The second spacer is coupled to the core member and disposed between the first plate and the second plate. A stent extends along the core member distal segment such that an inner surface of the stent is engaged by one or more projections of the first plate or the second plate.