Low Profile Stent Graft Segmented Attachment Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stent graft systems for treating aneurysms face challenges in achieving a small enough profile for safe and reliable deployment due to the presence of full metal rings, which hinder compression and increase the risk of complications during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of stent graft systems that utilize reduced size attachment flaps, single point attachments, and radially expandable rings to secure the stent to the graft, allowing for compression to a smaller diameter, facilitating safer and more accurate implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If full metal rings are used to secure the stent to the graft, then securement of the stent to the graft end is achieved, but the stent graft becomes difficult to compress to a small size for delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The full metal ring is divided into multiple discrete metal segments or staples distributed around the graft circumference. Each segment provides localized securement while the gaps between segments allow the structure to compress to a smaller profile during delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of a continuous rigid ring, discrete metal segments are placed at specific locations around the graft. This provides securement strength where needed while maintaining flexibility and compressibility in other areas, enabling small profile delivery.
2Reliability
If full metal rings are used at one end of the graft, then securement is achieved, but the profile of the stent graft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous metal ring is segmented into multiple discrete elements spaced around the graft. This segmentation reduces the overall profile and flexibility constraints while maintaining securement reliability through distributed attachment points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a full continuous ring, only partial circumferential coverage with discrete segments is sufficient to achieve reliable securement. This partial action reduces the profile while maintaining adequate attachment strength.
3Reliability
If traditional stent graft systems with full metal rings are used, then secure attachment is provided, but it is difficult to compress the stent graft to a small size for delivery through tortuous anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is segmented into discrete metal elements rather than a continuous ring, allowing the graft to flex and compress more easily during delivery through tortuous vasculature while maintaining reliable attachment at the expansion site.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a rigid continuous ring to dynamic discrete segments that can flex and compress during delivery, then provide stable attachment when expanded in place, improving both deliverability and attachment reliability.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A tubular prosthetic device for implantation into a body lumen includes a first part including a tubular lumen and a second part including an attachment member. The second part is secured to the first part via various configurations, where the device is capable of being reduced to a diameter less than the diameter of traditional devices, for ease of use during implantation. Methods of using the device are also provided.