Stent Graft Scallop Backstop for Aortic Branch Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent grafts face challenges in effectively repairing aortic aneurysms due to limitations in positioning near aortic branch arteries, risk of migration, and inadequate sealing, which can lead to endoleaks and vascular damage.
Innovation Solution
A stent graft with a frame structure featuring a scallop region and Z-form region, including a deployable backstop that extends into the lumen of aortic branch vessels to prevent migration and enhance sealing, is designed to be implanted in a diseased aortic arch, ensuring secure placement and preventing endoleaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tubular stent graft is positioned against the aortic wall to exclude an aneurysm, then the aneurysm is isolated from blood flow, but the stent graft may occlude or block aortic branch arteries or migrate to a position where it blocks branch arteries
Solution Approach 1:
The stent graft is divided into distinct functional segments: a tubular body for aneurysm exclusion, a scallop region with apices for branch artery preservation, and a backstop for anchoring. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, preventing branch artery occlusion while maintaining aneurysm exclusion effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The scallop region with multiple apices acts as an intermediary structure between the tubular body and branch arteries. These apices create openings that allow branch arteries to pass through or alongside the stent graft, mediating the interaction between the graft and branch vessels to prevent occlusion while maintaining sealing.
2Reliability
If the stent graft is positioned to ensure adequate sealing length against the aortic wall, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional structural features
Solution Approach 1:
The scallop region serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for sealing, creates apices that preserve branch artery patency, and contributes to the overall anchoring mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The backstop is integrated with the scallop region and tubular body as a unified frame structure rather than a separate component. This merging of elements consolidates the anchoring and sealing functions into a single integrated structure, avoiding the complexity that would arise from assembling multiple separate components.
3Device complexity
If the stent graft is designed with a simple tubular structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent migration and provide adequate sealing near branch arteries is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stent graft features local structural variations: the tubular body provides simple cylindrical sealing, the scallop region introduces apices for branch artery accommodation, and the backstop provides anchoring protrusions. These localized quality changes are applied only where needed rather than throughout the entire device, maintaining relative simplicity while improving migration prevention and sealing near branch arteries.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
One aspect of the present disclosure can include a frame structure adapted for use with a stent graft. The frame structure can include a scallop region and a Z-form region. The scallop region can have a first end portion, a second end portion, and a perimeter that defines an aperture. The Z-form region can extend from the scallop region and include a plurality of Z-shaped struts, each of which has a first end and a second end that is connected to the scallop region at different points so as to form a central frame structure lumen. The second end portion of the scallop region can include a backstop that is deployable from a first flattened configuration to a second erect configuration. The backstop, in the second erect configuration, is sized and dimensioned to extend into a lumen of an aortic branch vessel.