Threaded Retrieving Element for Intravascular Device Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retrievable devices, such as intravascular filters and stents, face challenges in being efficiently retrieved from blood vessels due to their positioning in narrow, curved channels, where alignment of longitudinal axes is difficult, and existing engagement mechanisms fail to securely attach and detach without slipping.
Innovation Solution
A threaded assembly comprising a male and female element with a protruding part that allows engagement at angles, utilizing threads with a specific lead and radius configuration, and a flexible or bendable design to facilitate secure attachment and detachment by rotation, even in narrow and curved environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded engagement mechanism is used to attach the retrieving element to the retrievable device, then secure attachment is achieved, but alignment of longitudinal axes becomes difficult in narrow curved channels
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieving element incorporates a curved or angled approach path that matches the curvature of blood vessels, allowing the longitudinal axes of the retrieving element and retrievable device to align naturally along the curved vessel path rather than requiring straight-line alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded engagement mechanism is designed with asymmetric geometry where the threading starts at an offset position rather than requiring perfect coaxial alignment, allowing engagement to initiate even when the longitudinal axes are slightly misaligned and then self-correct during the engagement process
2Reliability
If existing engagement mechanisms are used, then attachment is achieved, but slipping occurs during retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded engagement mechanism performs preliminary securing action before retrieval begins, with the threads pre-engaged and locked in position to prevent any slipping or disengagement during the subsequent retrieval process through the curved vessel anatomy
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism is divided into multiple threaded engagement points or segments around the circumference of the retrievable device, distributing the attachment forces across multiple points to prevent slipping at any single location
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly of a retrieving element and a retrievable device of which one is a helical spring having an outer part of a winding which extends away from a main portion of the spring and thus is able to engage a thread of the other of the retrieving element and a retrievable device. The other of the retrieving element and a retrievable device may have an outer or an inner thread. The assembly may be used for retrieving devices temporarily positioned in a blood vessel of a person.