Stent Delivery System with Bidirectional Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent delivery systems lack precision in placing the proximal end of self-expanding stents, as the final location is unknown until the stent is fully expanded, leading to potential inaccuracies in placement.
Innovation Solution
A stent delivery system with oppositely threaded proximal and distal junctions allows for selective deployment in either a distal-to-proximal or proximal-to-distal manner by rotating the inner member relative to the outer sheath, enabling precise control over the stent expansion and placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the stent is deployed in a distal-to-proximal manner using a conventional delivery system, then the distal end of the stent can be placed in a particular location, but the final location of the proximal end of the stent cannot be precisely determined until the stent is fully expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional components: an outer sheath for restraining the stent, an inner member for delivering and controlling the stent, and a junction assembly with detachable couplings. This segmentation allows independent control of the proximal and distal ends of the stent during deployment, enabling precise placement of both ends while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The junction assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inner member and outer sheath. It includes a proximal coupling mechanism and a distal coupling mechanism that can be selectively detached, serving as a mediator to control the relative movement and deployment sequence of the stent ends. This intermediary structure enables bidirectional deployment control without significantly increasing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the stent is deployed in a proximal-to-distal manner, then the proximal end location can be controlled, but the distal end placement precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanisms in the junction assembly are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the operator to selectively detach either the proximal coupling or the distal coupling based on the desired deployment direction. This dynamic control capability enables easy switching between proximal-to-distal and distal-to-proximal deployment modes, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise placement of both stent ends.
3Manufacturing precision
If a detachable coupling mechanism is added to enable selective deployment direction, then deployment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal coupling mechanism and distal coupling mechanism are merged into a single integrated junction assembly that connects the inner member to the outer sheath. This combined structure allows both coupling mechanisms to work together in a coordinated manner, achieving precise bidirectional deployment control while avoiding the complexity of having completely separate coupling systems. The unified junction assembly simplifies the overall device architecture compared to having independent coupling mechanisms for each end.
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 solution provides precise control over stent deployment, allowing for accurate placement of both the distal and proximal ends of the stent, enhancing the precision and reliability of stent delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first stent expanding element disposed at the distal tip... having a radially retracted position and a radially elevated position
Data Source
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AI summary
Stent delivery device includes an inner member having a distal tip, a stent disposed over a stent receiving region of the inner member, an outer sheath slidable over the inner member, a stent sheath removably coupled to both the distal tip and a distal end of the outer sheath, and a stent expanding element attached to the distal tip and/or the distal end of the outer sheath. The stent expanding element is biased in an elevated position and aids expansion of the stent when the stent sheath is removed. The stent delivery device includes a proximal junction removably coupling the distal end of the outer sheath to the stent sheath, and a proximal junction removably coupling the stent sheath to the distal tip. Each of the proximal and distal junctions are separately actuatable to decouple the stent sheath from either the distal tip or the outer sheath.