Stent Marker Element with Protruding Circular Arc for X-ray Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small body implants, such as stents used in the neuronal area, face challenges in achieving sufficient X-ray visibility due to their small dimensions and the difficulty in attaching high-density X-ray markers, which are also hard to machine and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A body implant design featuring a marker element made of X-ray-visible material that protrudes in a circular arc shape from the surface, allowing for increased visibility without hindering the insertion of guide wires or balloon catheters, and using materials like gold, platinum, or tantalum for enhanced radiopacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-density materials such as platinum or platinum-iridium alloys are used for X-ray markers, then X-ray visibility is improved, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the marker element by making it protrude from the stent surface with a circular arc shape. This dimensional change increases the marker's effective volume and X-ray visibility without requiring higher density materials, thereby avoiding the manufacturing difficulties associated with platinum and platinum-iridium alloys.
2Measurement precision
If the marker element is made flush with the stent surface, then the stent structure is compact, but X-ray visibility is insufficient for very small stents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the marker element from a two-dimensional flush surface configuration to a three-dimensional protruding structure. The circular arc shape extends the marker outward from the stent surface, increasing its volume and X-ray visibility in the radial dimension without compromising the compactness of the overall stent structure.
3Measurement precision
If the marker element protrudes significantly from the stent surface, then X-ray visibility is improved, but insertion of guide wires or balloon catheters is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a circular arc shape to the protruding portion of the marker element, creating a curved surface that smoothly guides guide wires and balloon catheters during insertion. This curvature prevents sharp edges or protrusions that would obstruct device passage, thereby maintaining ease of insertion while providing enhanced X-ray visibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a body implant (1), in particular a stent, for insertion or implantation in a living body, with a marker element (2) which is made of an X-ray-visible material and which is fitted into a cutout (10) of the body implant (1), wherein the marker element (2), on at least one side, protrudes at least partially from a wall of the cutout (10) of the body implant (1), and the protruding portion (21) of the marker element (2) has the shape of an arc of a circle.