Stent Delivery System Stabilizer and Pusher Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stent delivery systems face challenges in achieving precise and secure stent placement and deployment, particularly in maintaining stent position during retraction and expansion, which can lead to incomplete vessel reinforcement and potential complications.

Innovation Solution

A stent delivery system incorporating a reinforced polymer shaft with a low friction lumen and a braided mesh sock constrained by a marker band, allowing for precise stent stabilization and secure deployment within a 3F guide system, utilizing a stent stabilizer and pusher mechanism for enhanced precision and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional stent delivery system is used, then the stent can be delivered to the target location, but the stent position cannot be precisely maintained during retraction and expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestent placement precisionVSAvoidstent position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into distinct functional segments: an outer catheter for delivery, an inner stabilizer shaft for position maintenance, and a pusher mechanism for deployment control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the stabilizer shaft independently maintaining stent position while the pusher controls expansion timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizer shaft acts as an intermediary component between the delivery catheter and the stent. It provides a stable platform that maintains stent position during retraction, while the low-friction lumen serves as an intermediary surface that allows smooth passage of the guidewire and controlled stent deployment without compromising position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the stent is advanced through the delivery system, then the stent can be positioned, but friction prevents easy advancement and retraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestent advancement easeVSAvoidfriction force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system utilizes a flexible catheter construction with thin-walled segments that allow smooth stent advancement. The low-friction lumen is formed as a thin-film surface within the stabilizer shaft, reducing contact friction while maintaining structural integrity for position control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs parameter changes in surface properties by incorporating low-friction coatings or materials in the lumen surface. This reduces the coefficient of friction between the stent and delivery system surfaces, enabling easy advancement and retraction while the stabilizer shaft maintains positional control through its structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the stent is secured during delivery, then the stent position is maintained, but the stent cannot be easily deployed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestent position stabilityVSAvoidstent deployment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer shaft is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to maintain stent position during delivery but become disengageable during deployment. The shaft can be selectively retracted or detached from the stent, transitioning from a stable constraint to an released state that enables easy stent deployment into the vessel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stent is pre-secured to the stabilizer shaft using the low-friction lumen and constraining mechanisms before delivery. This preliminary securing action ensures position stability during navigation, and the design allows this same mechanism to facilitate controlled release and easy deployment at the target location without requiring complex additional tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The system ensures accurate and secure stent placement with reduced friction, facilitating easier advancement and retraction of the stent, thereby improving the precision and effectiveness of stent deployment in vascular and other bodily vessels.

Implementation Method 1

a reinforced polymer shaft with a low friction lumen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLow friction: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3288493B1Stent delivery system
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 MICRO MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3288493B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3288493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3288493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stent delivery system, which includes a catheter and a stent stabilizer and pusher mechanism to capture and deploy a braided stent. The stabilizer pusher mechanism has a reinforced polymer shaft with two ends, a nub, a marker band and a braided mesh sock.