Thoracic Graft Yarn Modifications for Curved Vessel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoluminal prostheses face challenges in effectively aligning with the curvature of vessels, leading to potential leaks and trauma due to limited flexibility and compatibility with varying vessel profiles.
Innovation Solution
An endoluminal prosthesis with a tubular graft design featuring a proximal section with higher pliability and a distal section with lower pliability, both made from biocompatible materials, which are heat-set to form a preformed curved shape, allowing better alignment with the vessel's profile and reducing leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a uniform pliability design is used throughout the graft, then manufacturing is simpler, but the graft cannot effectively align with curved vessel profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The graft is divided into multiple sections with different pliability characteristics - a proximal section with higher pliability and a distal section with lower pliability. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function: the proximal section conforms to curved vessel profiles while the distal section provides structural support
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the graft are assigned different material properties tailored to their specific functional requirements. The proximal section uses more pliable material for curvature adaptation, while the distal section uses less pliable material for structural integrity, creating local quality variations throughout the graft
2Adaptability or versatility
If the graft is made highly flexible to accommodate curved vessels, then adaptability improves, but structural strength and sealing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The graft is segmented into proximal and distal sections with different pliability levels. The proximal section's higher pliability enables flexibility for curved vessel accommodation, while the distal section's lower pliability provides the structural strength needed for effective sealing against vessel walls
Solution Approach 2:
Material pliability is locally optimized: the proximal section uses highly pliable material positioned at the curved portion of the graft where flexibility is needed, while the distal section uses stiffer material where structural support and sealing force are required
3Shape
If a preformed curved shape is heat-set into the graft, then alignment with vessel profile improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The desired curved shape is pre-formed into the graft during manufacturing through heat setting, so that the graft is ready for implantation without requiring additional shaping procedures. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-manufacturing adjustments and simplifies the implantation process
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 design enhances compatibility and reduces leakage by providing greater flexibility in the proximal section for curved vessels, improving the seal against the vessel walls and accommodating varying damage levels, thus ensuring better vascular integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the tubular graft is heat set to form a curved proximal section
Data Source
AI summary
An endoluminal prosthesis (110) for a curved vessel includes a tubular graft defining a lumen between a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular graft comprising a proximal section (114) and a second section distal (116) of the proximal section, where a proximal end of the second section is adjacent to a distal end of the proximal section. The proximal section includes a first biocompatible material having pliable textile strands aligned in a first direction interwoven with pliable textile strands aligned in a second direction. The second section includes a second biocompatible material having textile strands aligned in a first direction interwoven with textile strands aligned in a second direction, where the proximal section is more pliable than the second section.