Stent Graft Fixation Using Guide Sutures for Precise Fastener Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent graft designs face challenges in accurately fixing and sealing the proximal end to the vessel wall due to inadequate imaging resolution for fastener placement, leading to potential movement and fluid bypass issues.
Innovation Solution
A stent graft fixation system that includes a guide suture extending from the fixation point to outside the body lumen, allowing for precise placement of fasteners using a fixation tool with a guide aperture, enabling accurate attachment and sealing of the graft material to the vessel wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners are used to attach the graft material to the vessel wall, then fixation and sealing are achieved, but accurate placement is difficult due to inadequate imaging resolution
Solution Approach 1:
A radiopaque guide wire is introduced as an intermediary tool to assist in fastener placement. The guide wire is positioned through the fastener before deployment, allowing real-time visualization via X-ray imaging. This mediator enables the operator to accurately track and control fastener placement depth and position, resolving the imaging resolution problem without compromising fixation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener and guide wire incorporate radiopaque materials that appear distinct under X-ray imaging. This visual contrast enhancement allows the operator to clearly distinguish the fastener position, depth, and orientation relative to the vessel wall and graft material, thereby improving measurement precision during the fixation process
2Stability of the object's composition
If the stent graft is secured to the vessel wall, then movement is prevented, but accurate fastener placement is compromised by poor image resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire is pre-positioned through the fastener mechanism before the fastener is deployed to attach the graft. This preliminary action establishes a precise trajectory and depth marker that remains visible during imaging, allowing accurate placement while ensuring subsequent stable fixation. The guide wire serves as a temporary but critical element that enables precision before being removed after fixation
3Loss of information
If contrast medium is used to enhance imaging, then visibility is improved, but image resolution is reduced through clouding
Solution Approach 1:
Radiopaque materials with high X-ray attenuation properties are incorporated into the guide wire and fastener components. These materials produce strong, clear signals on X-ray images that remain visible even in the presence of contrast medium clouding. This allows maintainment of both imaging visibility and measurement precision without relying on contrast medium enhancement
Data Source
AI summary
A stent graft fixation system and method including a stent graft for fastening to a fixation point in a body lumen, the stent graft including a stent; a graft material supported by the stent and having a fixation region; and a guide suture joined to the graft material in the fixation region. The guide suture has a length selected to extend from the fixation point to outside of the body lumen.