Stent Delivery System with Electrolytically Erodible Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-expanding stent delivery systems face challenges such as tissue damage, unpredictable release mechanisms, bulkiness, and limitations in employing drug elution matrices due to direct connections and corrosion issues with electrolytically erodable joints, leading to inefficiencies and complications in stent deployment.
Innovation Solution
The system employs electrolytically erodable sections that maintain the stent in a preloaded configuration without direct attachment to the delivery member, using pass-through or interlocking features to secure and release the stent, allowing for stable and compact delivery and expansion without joint corrosion, and incorporating power profiles to control erosion and minimize electrocoagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrolytically erodable joints are used to attach the stent to the delivery member, then the stent can be securely held in a collapsed configuration, but tissue damage and unpredictable release may occur due to corrosion and electrocoagulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electrolytically erodable joint from the system entirely. Instead of using erodable material to attach the stent to the delivery member, the invention uses a mechanical release mechanism where the stent is held by friction against the delivery member surface and released by a pusher element. This extraction of the erodable joint eliminates the source of unpredictable corrosion and electrocoagulation while maintaining secure stent retention during delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pusher element as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the stent release process. Rather than directly relying on electrolytic erosion to release the stent, the pusher element mechanically pushes the stent off the delivery member. This intermediary mechanism provides predictable, controlled release without the harmful effects of electrocoagulation.
2Reliability
If direct attachment of the stent to the delivery member is used, then secure delivery is achieved, but drug elution matrix employment is limited due to joint corrosion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the erodable joint that prevented drug elution matrix employment. By eliminating the electrolytic connection point, the invention allows drug elution matrices to be applied directly to the stent surface without concern for joint corrosion interfering with drug release or creating unpredictable failure modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrolytic release mechanism with a purely mechanical pusher-based release system. This substitution eliminates the chemical corrosion process that limited drug elution matrix compatibility, allowing drugs to be delivered through the stent without interference from electrolytic reactions at attachment points.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact delivery system is used, then access to difficult anatomy is improved, but frictional forces make system actuation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service release mechanism where the actuation of the pusher element automatically and directly releases the stent without requiring additional user actions. The system is designed so that advancing the pusher element inherently performs both the release function and the stent deployment, eliminating the need for separate actuation steps and reducing the impact of frictional forces on overall system operation.
4Ease of operation
If tethers or bands are used to restrain the stent, then delivery control is improved, but tissue damage risk increases due to drawing released tethers past the vessel wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tether or band restraint mechanism from the delivery system. Instead of using tethers that must be drawn past the vessel wall after release, the invention uses a pusher element that remains on the proximal side of the stent and simply pushes it off the delivery member. This eliminates the dangerous tether drawing action that could damage the vessel wall while maintaining precise delivery control.
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 approach enables efficient, reliable, and minimally invasive stent deployment with reduced tissue damage and electrocoagulation, allowing for precise control of stent release and deployment in challenging anatomical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sections being made of an electrolytically erodable material and having an erodible section
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or be used in variety of other procedures. The systems may employ a self expanding stent restrained by one or more members released by an electrolytically erodable latch. Such release means do not connect directly to the implant, though one or more portions may contact it.