Selective Stent Deployment via Thermal Polymer Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stent delivery systems face challenges in precise positioning and deployment, particularly in treating aneurysms, as they often require simultaneous expansion of both ends of the stent, which can lead to inaccurate placement and increased risk of rupture.
Innovation Solution
A stent delivery device with a first and second retaining polymer, along with resistance members, allows for selective expansion of the distal end of a self-expanding stent without expanding the proximal end, enabling precise deployment by applying current to the resistance members, thereby facilitating controlled positioning and repositioning of the stent within the vasculature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simultaneous expansion of both ends of the stent is used, then the stent can be deployed quickly, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates and the risk of aneurysm rupture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple independently controllable sections with separate retaining polymers and resistance members at different locations. This segmentation allows each section to be expanded and positioned independently, enabling precise control over stent deployment while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control where the retaining polymers can be selectively melted at different times and locations through applied current. This dynamic mechanism allows the stent to be deployed in controlled stages rather than all at once, improving positioning accuracy while maintaining efficient deployment.
2Manufacturing precision
If selective expansion of stent ends is enabled, then positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the retaining polymer structure itself, which serves as both the retention mechanism and the release mechanism. By incorporating resistance members and using applied current to melt the polymer, the system achieves selective release without requiring separate complex release mechanisms, thus managing device complexity while enabling precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining polymers are designed to automatically release when exposed to sufficient heat from the resistance members. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex mechanical or electronic release systems, reducing device complexity while enabling precise and controlled stent deployment through selective current application.
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 solution enables precise and controlled deployment of the stent, reducing the risk of aneurysm rupture and improving the accuracy of stent placement, allowing for safer treatment of aneurysms by allowing selective release and repositioning of the stent ends.
Implementation Method 1
a first resistance member in thermal communication with the first retaining polymer, and a second resistance member in thermal communication with the second retaining polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A stent delivery device includes a first retaining polymer disposed about and retaining a self-expanding stent at a proximal end portion, a second retaining polymer disposed about and retaining the self-expanding stent at a distal end portion, a first resistance member in thermal communication with the first retaining polymer, and a second resistance member in thermal communication with the second retaining polymer. The second retaining polymer and second resistance member are configured to allow release and expansion of the distal end portion of the self-expanding stent without expansion of the proximal end portion of the self-expanding stent.