Airway Stent Fiber Mesh Embedding for Tear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airway and esophageal management devices face challenges with delivery and positioning, as they often tear during suturing, accumulate mucus and crusting, and are difficult to clean and maintain, leading to compromised bodily walls and impaired function.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fiber mesh embedded in the device walls, combined with a polymeric coating like parylene, to enhance integrity and prevent tearing, while maintaining flexibility and ease of insertion, and using structural features such as rings or posts to prevent displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If devices are made from silicone rubber to provide flexibility, then ease of insertion is improved, but the device wall tears when sutures are passed through it
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines silicone rubber with a fiber mesh (polyester, nylon, or polypropylene) to create a composite structure. The fiber mesh is embedded within the silicone rubber wall, providing tensile strength and tear resistance while the silicone rubber maintains flexibility and ease of insertion. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
2Stability of the object's composition
If devices are sutured in place to ensure precise positioning, then stability is improved, but the device wall tears during suturing
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber mesh embedded in the silicone rubber wall provides the necessary strength to withstand suturing forces. The mesh structure distributes the stress of suture passage across multiple fibers rather than concentrating it on the silicone rubber alone, enabling secure anchoring without device wall failure.
3Ease of operation
If devices have smooth walls to facilitate insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but mucus, crusting and granulation accumulate on the device
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies different surface qualities to different locations: the outer surface remains smooth for easy insertion, while the inner surface has a textured or rougher finish that reduces mucus accumulation and prevents granulation tissue formation. This local differentiation of surface properties addresses both requirements simultaneously.
4Strength
If devices are made with thicker walls to prevent tearing, then device wall strength is improved, but flexibility and ease of insertion are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber mesh reinforcement allows the device to achieve high strength with thinner overall wall thickness. The mesh bears the tensile loads, enabling the silicone rubber wall to be thinner while maintaining both strength and flexibility. This resolves the contradiction by assigning different structural roles to different materials in the composite.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices used in the management of bodily airways including bronchial and tracheal stents, bronchial Y-tubes, bronchial TY-tubes, nasal septal buttons, and nasal stents. The present invention also relates to devices used to manage the esophagus, such as salivary bypass tubes. These devices may comprise a fiber mesh imbedded in the walls of the device in order to provide integrity to the device wall and permit anchoring and suturing of the device.