Stent Graft Securing Device With Hinged Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent grafts face challenges in securely attaching to the internal surface of blood vessels, particularly in high-pressure areas like the aorta, leading to potential migration and increased risk of failure due to blood flow forces.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising two elongate elements with central portions joined by a hinge, featuring arms that can be rotated to securely engage with the vessel wall, allowing for stable attachment without compromising packaging for endovascular delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stent graft is delivered by catheter to treat aneurysms, then the surgical intervention is reduced to a small cut-down and recovery time is decreased, but the device must be packaged in minimal volume which complicates the design
Solution Approach 1:
The stent graft is nested within a delivery catheter system, allowing the prosthesis to be packaged in minimal volume for percutaneous delivery while maintaining the ability to deploy the full device structure at the target site. The stent can be compressed into a small profile within the catheter lumen and then expanded to its functional configuration upon deployment.
2Volume of moving object
If the stent is formed from minimum amount of material to maintain patency, then the device profile is reduced for delivery, but the stent graft may migrate due to blood flow forces
Solution Approach 1:
The stent structure is segmented into multiple components including radial support elements and longitudinal securing elements. This segmentation allows the stent to use minimum material for radial patency maintenance while adding dedicated securing features that engage with the vessel wall to prevent migration caused by blood flow forces.
3Reliability
If the stent graft is securely attached to the vessel wall, then migration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is merged with the stent structure itself, where longitudinal elements or bars are integrated into the stent framework. These elements extend radially to engage with the vessel wall, combining the support function with the securing function in a unified structure rather than adding separate complex attachment devices.
4Reliability
If arms are added to engage with vessel wall, then attachment stability is improved, but the device cannot be packaged for endovascular delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The arms or longitudinal elements are designed to be dynamically configurable - compressible or collapsible during delivery to fit within the catheter lumen, and then expandable or deployable at the target site to engage with the vessel wall. This dynamic transformation allows the device to transition between a low-volume packaged state and a high-stability deployed state.
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 device provides a stable and secure attachment to the vessel wall, reducing the risk of migration and improving the longevity of the stent graft by distributing forces across two points, thus enhancing the patency and seal of the prosthesis.
Implementation Method 1
The elongate elements are each independently resiliently deformable so that the angle formed between their arms can be reduced for packaging and/or for delivery of the prosthesis, but can be increased following deployment of the prosthesis on its release from the delivery sheath of the catheter
Implementation Method 2
The terminal end of each arm is shaped for engagement with the inner surface of a body lumen
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a device to secure a prosthesis, such as a stent graft, to the internal wall of a body lumen. The device is formed from two elongate elements (5, 5') each comprising a central portion (4) with at least one arm extending therefrom. The central portions of the elements abut. Optionally, the central portions are joined togeth¬ er, optionally by a joining element which can act as a hinge. The ter¬ minal end of each arm can be shaped for engagement with the inner surface of the body lumen. The device is reversibly interchangeable between a first folded configuration and a second deployed or open configuration. The device is preferably attached to the sleeve of a stent graft independent of the stents which are preferably ring stents A stent graft comprising the device is also described.