Stent Prosthesis with X-Ray Visible Thread for Aortic Arch Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in vascular surgery is accurately positioning and fixing a stent prosthesis, particularly at the aortic arch, where the curved course and branching arteries complicate the placement, risking vital artery blockage and requiring precise alignment under x-ray radiation.

Innovation Solution

A stent prosthesis equipped with long, x-ray visible threads fixedly attached to its peripheral surface, allowing for precise alignment and fixation by passing the thread through the skin and into the aorta, enabling accurate placement and anchoring to the vascular wall, with optional additional threads for enhanced positioning and fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stent prosthesis is inserted through the artery to treat aortic aneurysm, then the vascular enlargement can be bypassed and eliminated, but accurate positioning and alignment are complicated due to the curved course of the thoracic aorta and branching arteries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccurate positioning of stent prosthesisVSAvoidalignment difficulty under x-ray radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A guide wire is introduced as an intermediary element that extends beyond the stent prosthesis at both ends. This guide wire serves as a mediator for positioning, allowing the stent to be accurately placed by threading it over the guide wire through the curved aortic arch and branching arteries, thereby solving the alignment difficulty under x-ray radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the stent prosthesis is placed in the aortic arch area, then vascular enlargement can be treated, but vital lateral arteries may be blocked due to the curved course and branching structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectiveness of vascular enlargementVSAvoidblockage of vital lateral arteries

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wire acts as a mediator that can be selectively positioned to navigate around vital lateral arteries while maintaining stent placement in the aortic arch. By controlling the guide wire's path, the stent can be positioned to treat the aneurysm without blocking critical blood flow to lateral arteries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stent prosthesis structure is designed with local variations to accommodate the branching anatomy of the aortic arch. The stent can be configured with different radial strengths and opening patterns at different locations to preserve flow in vital lateral arteries while providing adequate support in the aneurysm treatment zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If marker threads are attached to the stent body for positioning detection, then the place and position can be detected under x-ray radiation, but the threads may detach or become dislodged during insertion and placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of stent position under x-rayVSAvoidthread attachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The marker threads are merged with the guide wire structure, forming an integrated positioning system. The guide wire itself serves as the primary marker visible under x-ray radiation, eliminating the need for separate attachment threads and their associated reliability issues. The guide wire and marker function as a unified positioning mechanism throughout insertion and placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables accurate and secure placement and fixation of the stent prosthesis, even in complex anatomical areas like the aortic arch, reducing the risk of vital artery blockage and improving procedural accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The thread material or material components contained therein or the coating of the thread is/are visible under x-ray radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray radiation detection: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS8123796B2Stent prosthesis for vascular surgery in particular in the area of the aortic arch

Publication Date: 2012.02.28 KASPRZAK PIOTR

AI summary

A stent prosthesis for vascular surgery for inserting into an artery, particularly for bridging a vascular enlargement in the area of the aortic arch, comprising a tubular flexible and radially expandable stent body, on which at least one tear-proof long thread is attached in a fixed manner at a point of attachment on the outer peripheral surface of the stent body in the front portion thereof The thread can be recognized under x-ray radiation and has a free thread length of a number of decimeters and, starting from the point of attachment, is exposed outside the stent body so that the stent body, while following the thread, can be passed into the artery and can be placed, by means of the thread, in position inside the artery and can be subsequently fixed to the vascular wall.