Stent Delivery Balloon Layering for Reduced Outer Diameter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent delivery systems face difficulties in inserting stents into narrow lumens due to variations in balloon layer thickness, leading to a larger outer diameter and making it challenging to navigate through tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
The stent delivery system employs a balloon folded in stacked layers with connecting parts positioned on minimum-layered portions, and the stent's dense regions aligned with these areas, while sparse regions are placed on thicker balloon sections, reducing the overall diameter by strategically distributing material and elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the balloon is folded in stacked layers around the shaft portion, then the balloon can be inserted into narrow lumens, but the variation in layer thickness causes the outer diameter to be large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning connecting parts specifically on minimum-layered portions of the folded balloon. This creates a non-uniform distribution where dense stent elements (connecting parts) are located only where the balloon has fewer layers, while sparse regions are positioned on thicker sections. This local optimization reduces the overall outer diameter without compromising insertability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-positioning the connecting parts on the folded balloon at minimum-layered portions before stent deployment. This advance arrangement ensures that when the stent is mounted, the dense regions are already aligned with the thinnest balloon sections, optimizing the outer diameter reduction without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the procedure.
2Shape
If connecting parts are positioned on minimum-layered portions, then the outer diameter is reduced, but the stent structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the stent into distinct regions based on connecting part positions. The stent is conceptually segmented into dense regions (where connecting parts are located on minimum-layered portions) and sparse regions (on maximum-layered portions). This segmentation allows for optimized outer diameter while maintaining structural integrity through the deliberate arrangement of these segments.
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
This configuration allows for a more efficient reduction in stent diameter, facilitating easier insertion into narrow lumens by minimizing the outer diameter of the stent when mounted on the balloon, enhancing navigability and deployment precision.
Implementation Method 1
a balloon which is expandable in an outer radial direction by injection of fluid into the balloon
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A stent delivery system is configured so that its outer diameter can be reduced when the balloon is folded and the stent is mounted on the folded balloon. The stent delivery system includes a balloon (30) which is expandable by injection of fluid inside the balloon, and is folded in the form of stacked layers (34, 35) around an outer circumference of an elongated inner tube (60). The stent delivery system also includes a stent (70) having a plurality of annular parts, each formed with a wire in an annular shape and arranged in the direction of the axis of the stent, and a plurality of connecting parts connecting the neighboring annular parts. All the connecting parts are arranged on the outer circumference of the balloon in a manner that each of the connecting parts is positioned on a minimum-layered portion having the smallest number of stacked layers.