Telescoping Guide Tubes for Bias-Free LAA Implant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage are inadequate, particularly for patients with atrial fibrillation, as they often involve invasive surgeries with risks and side effects, or pharmacological therapies with compliance issues, and existing implantable devices face challenges with implantation bias and stability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for minimizing implantation bias during delivery of an implant to the left atrial appendage, featuring a self-expandable implant with a distal guide tube, actuation shaft, and concentrically attachable disconnect mount, which is designed to remain in position without 'jumping' or moving, using telescoping guide tubes and a flexible delivery system to ensure accurate placement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical techniques are used to obliterate the LAA, then thrombus containment is improved, but patient risk and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional surgical mechanical systems (staples, sutures, thoracoscopic instruments) with a minimally invasive percutaneous delivery system that uses a catheter-based approach to implant an occlusion device in the LAA, reducing patient risk while maintaining thrombus containment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a percutaneous catheter as an intermediary delivery system that allows the occlusion device to be implanted through the vascular system rather than requiring direct surgical access to the LAA, thereby reducing invasiveness while achieving the same therapeutic goal
2Reliability
If existing implantable devices are used to occlude the LAA, then thrombus formation is reduced, but implantation bias and stability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion device employs asymmetric structural features including a flared distal end with enhanced radial strength and a tapered proximal end, creating differential mechanical properties that prevent both proximal and distal migration while ensuring stable anchoring in the LAA
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates localized structural variations with a flared distal portion having increased radial strength for distal anchoring, and a tapered proximal portion for proximal sealing, providing different mechanical qualities in different regions to achieve comprehensive stability
3Ease of operation
If the implant is designed to be self-expandable, then deployment simplicity is improved, but control over implant position during delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion device is pre-formed with a compressed, low-profile configuration that allows it to be loaded into the delivery catheter and navigated to the target site, with the self-expansion capability activated only upon deployment at the LAA
Solution Approach 2:
The self-expandable occlusion device is nested within the delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing it to be delivered through the vascular system and then expand to its functional configuration upon deployment at the target site
Data Source
AI summary
An implant delivery system, comprising: an implantable device comprising a plurality of supports extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the supports being moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, a proximal guide tube at the proximal end of the supports extending toward the distal end, and a distal guide tube at the distal end of the supports extending toward the proximal end, wherein the proximal and distal guide tubes are telescoping and become further engaged as the supports move from the collapsed to the expanded configuration.