Telescopic Occluder Limiting Member for In-Sheath Length Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occluders face challenges with excessive in-sheath length, leading to tissue damage during implantation and limited applicability due to inability to maintain original dimensions after release.
Innovation Solution
An occluder with a telescopic limiting member connected to its distal and proximal ends, formed by nested metal tube sections, which limits elongation and maintains a partially or fully folded configuration when loaded, preventing excessive in-sheath length and ensuring better dimensional retention upon release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the occluder is elongated to fit into the sheath, then the occluder can be delivered through the sheath, but the occluder cannot restore its exact original dimension after release and requires a greater sheath length
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting member is designed as a nested tube structure with multiple metal tube sections nested one into another, allowing the member to telescope between a compressed configuration for sheath delivery and an extended configuration for maintaining occluder dimensions after release. This nesting principle enables the limiting member to provide dimensional control while fitting within constrained sheath space.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting member transitions from a static structure to a dynamic telescopic structure that can change its length. When the occluder is loaded into the sheath, the limiting member telescopes to a compressed configuration, reducing in-sheath length. Upon release, it extends to maintain the occluder's original dimensions, thereby resolving the contradiction between deliverability and dimensional retention.
2Ease of operation
If the sheath section is inserted deeply into the LAA for occluder delivery, then the occluder can be implanted, but the excessive sheath length may damage or pierce tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The nested tube structure of the limiting member allows the occluder to maintain a compact profile during delivery, enabling the sheath to be inserted to the necessary depth without excessive length exposure, thereby reducing the risk of tissue damage while maintaining implantation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting member changes its length parameter dynamically - compressed during delivery to minimize sheath insertion depth and tissue exposure, then extended after release to maintain occluder functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between operational ease and harm prevention.
3Manufacturing precision
If the occluder is designed to maintain exact original dimensions after release, then dimensional retention is improved, but the in-sheath length becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting member's nested tube structure allows it to occupy minimal space within the sheath while providing the mechanical function of maintaining occluder dimensions. The multiple nested sections compress the limiting member's effective length, resolving the contradiction between dimensional retention and in-sheath length.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting member dynamically adjusts its length based on the occluder's state - extended when the occluder needs to maintain its original dimensions after release, and compressed when the occluder is being delivered through the sheath. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between dimensional retention and deliverability.
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 telescopic limiting member reduces in-sheath length by up to 30% and enhances dimensional retention, preventing tissue damage and expanding the occluder's applicability to various left atrial appendage shapes.
Implementation Method 1
the limiting member is a telescopic structure and has its two ends connected to the distal and proximal ends respectively, and wherein the telescopic structure is a nested tube formed by multiple metal tube sections that are nested one into the other
Implementation Method 2
an occluder product available on the market is loaded into a sheath by elongating and flattening the occluder to a suitable size taking advantage of the product's material and structural elasticity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an occluder and a medical device. The occluder comprises: an occluding unit having a remote end and a near end; and a position-limiting unit connected to the remote end and the near end for limiting an extension distance therebetween. The position-limiting unit is connected to the remote end and the near end of the occluding unit to limit the extension distance therebetween, such that the occluder is in an entirely or partially collapsed state when in a sheath, thereby preventing the issue of the occluder occupying an excessive length of the sheath. The occluder is not fully extended while in the sheath, but instead remains in an entirely or partially collapsed state, so as to better maintain the dimensions of the occluder after the same is released from the sheath.