Stent-Graft Segmentation and Dynamics for AAA Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current AAA stent-graft devices face challenges with stress-induced leakage, slippage, and structural failures due to inadequate anchoring and flexibility, leading to potential rupture and the need for repeated surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of stent-graft devices combining self-expanding and balloon-expandable stent components with anchoring members and a skirt graft member to enhance anchoring, prevent leakage, and allow for adjustment after placement, addressing stress-induced issues and improving long-term efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional stent-graft devices are used for AAA repair, then the procedure can be performed endovascularly, but the devices suffer from stress-induced leakage, slippage, and structural failures due to inadequate anchoring
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft device is divided into multiple functional segments: a main body portion with anchoring features, extendable leg portions that can be adjusted independently, and a sealing portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while improving overall anchoring stability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg portions of the stent-graft are designed to be extendable and adjustable after initial placement. This dynamic feature allows the device to adapt to patient movement and anatomical changes, maintaining reliable anchoring and preventing slippage while managing structural complexity through controlled adjustability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stent-graft devices are made more flexible to accommodate patient movement, then patient comfort and adaptability improve, but structural integrity and resistance to stress-induced failure decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the stent-graft device have different mechanical properties: the anchoring portions are designed with higher strength and rigidity to resist stress and prevent slippage, while the leg portions incorporate flexibility to accommodate patient movement. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent-graft device utilizes composite construction combining materials with different mechanical properties - typically a metal stent framework providing structural strength and integrity, combined with a fabric or polymer graft material providing flexibility and compliance. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both strength and adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If stent-graft devices are designed with fixed anchoring, then initial placement is simpler, but long-term reliability deteriorates due to slippage and leakage from stress-induced movement
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft incorporates extendable leg portions that can be adjusted after initial placement to optimize anchoring. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains long-term reliability by allowing the device to adapt to stress and movement, while the initial placement remains relatively simple as the basic deployment procedure is unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with pre-configured anchoring features and extendable portions that are prepared in advance for optimal positioning. This preliminary configuration simplifies the initial placement while enabling subsequent adjustments to maintain long-term reliability against slippage and leakage.
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 solution effectively reduces leakage and slippage, enhances the structural integrity of the stent-graft, and allows for adjustment, thereby minimizing the risk of rupture and the need for repeated surgeries, providing a more durable and reliable treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Implementation Method 1
Self-expanding stents have shape memory capabilities, so that they can be compressed into a smaller shape for positioning at an area of treatment and then allowed to expand to attach to the desired area
Implementation Method 2
Expandable stents are typically positioned at a desired location and then expanded by an inflatable device, typically a balloon, to attach the stent in the desired location
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for treating aneurysms, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (“AAA”) generally include one or more stent-graft devices. Some embodiments include self-expanding and/or balloon-expandable stent components and one or more graft components coupled with the stent components. Using various combinations of self-expanding stent members, balloon-expandable stent members, graft members, and/or anchoring members enhances the anchoring abilities of a stent-graft device to prevent leakage around it, and may further allow the device to be adjusted after placement at a site for treatment. Some embodiments further include a skirt graft member for further prevention of leakage and/or device slippage.