Stent With Deflecting Offset Connectors for Axial Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracheal stents face challenges in achieving both removability and flexibility, as existing designs often fracture or distort under tissue ingrowth and anatomical stress, compromising their ability to expand and contract with respiration without causing permanent deformation.
Innovation Solution
The stent geometry features offset connectors that allow axial extension and compression, maintaining radial force consistency and preventing kinking or ovaling, while enabling up to 40% change in length without significant diameter alteration or permanent deformation, through a design that deflects connectors rather than distorting strut columns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stent geometry is designed to allow axial extension and compression to mimic anatomical environment, then flexibility is improved, but the stent may fracture or pull apart under tissue in-growth anchoring forces
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple strut columns connected by connectors, allowing each segment to deflect independently. This segmentation enables the stent to accommodate axial movement while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector geometry is specifically designed with offset ends that can deflect under load. By changing the geometric parameters of the connectors to include offset configurations, the stent achieves both flexibility through deflection and durability by distributing stress away from critical connection points.
2Strength
If existing stent designs are used, then structural support is provided, but the stent forces the lumen into a straightened path causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The stent transitions from a rigid, fixed-geometry structure to a dynamic structure where connectors can deflect and adapt. This allows the stent to maintain structural support while accommodating natural lumen movements and anatomical variations, reducing patient irritation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stent cell geometry is weakened to allow distortion for flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but the stent loses structural integrity and ability to maintain radial force
Solution Approach 1:
The offset connector design introduces a new dimension of movement perpendicular to the main axial direction. This allows the stent to achieve flexibility through connector deflection in the offset direction while maintaining radial force consistency through the preserved strut column geometry.
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 stent achieves enhanced removability and flexibility, allowing for safe deployment and removal, maintaining structural integrity and reducing irritation to the trachea by distributing stress effectively and maintaining consistent radial force during deflection.
Implementation Method 1
the stress concentration is in straightening the offset connector allowing for greater force to be displaced without creating fracture
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to A stent 10 having a nominally deployed state having a deployed diameter, an axially extended state, and an axially compressed state, the stent 10 having a length, in the axially extended state the length being at least 20% greater than in the nominally deployed state, wherein the stent 10 is configured to axially extend from the nominally deployed state to the axially extended state without significantly altering the deployed diameter of the stent 10.