Strand End Coupling Structures for Nickel-Titanium Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as stents and occluders, face challenges in securely joining strand ends made of nickel-titanium materials, particularly in maintaining structural integrity and consistency across multiple strand crossings when subjected to axial compression.
Innovation Solution
The use of coupling structures, which are welded to the strand ends using laser welding, to secure and align the ends of devices like stents, ensuring that each coupling structure is positioned to define specific strand crossings and maintain device openings defined by at least three strand crossings, thereby enhancing structural stability and consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional welding methods are used to join nickel-titanium strand ends, then the strands can be connected, but the structural integrity and consistency are compromised under axial compression
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling structure made of biocompatible material serves as an intermediary component between nickel-titanium strand ends. The coupling structure includes a first region welded to one strand end and a second region welded to another strand end, allowing indirect connection that maintains structural integrity and consistency under axial compression while avoiding direct welding of the nickel-titanium strands themselves.
2Stability of the object's composition
If coupling structures are welded to strand ends, then alignment and structural stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides alignment features for consistent strand end alignment, serves as a weldable connector between nickel-titanium strands, and maintains structural stability under compression. This merging reduces the need for separate alignment fixtures and welding fixtures, thereby managing device complexity while achieving improved alignment consistency.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple strand crossings are defined by coupling structures, then device opening consistency is maintained, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure incorporates pre-formed alignment features such as grooves, ridges, or geometric configurations that guide strand ends into proper alignment before welding. This preliminary alignment action ensures consistent device opening geometry across multiple strand crossings while reducing the precision demands on the welding process itself, thereby balancing manufacturing precision requirements with ease of manufacture.
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
This method effectively secures strand ends, maintaining structural integrity and consistency across multiple strand crossings, even under axial compression, ensuring reliable performance and alignment of device openings.
Implementation Method 1
The securing may be accomplished by welding (e.g., laser welding) the coupling structure to the first strand end portion to create a first welded region and by welding the coupling structure to the second strand end portion to create a second welded region.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for securing strand ends of devices configured for insertion into an anatomical structure, and the resulting devices.