Tunable Stent for Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods and devices are not optimal for treating chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCVI) in multiple sclerosis patients, as they lack proper size, length, and functional characteristics, leading to risks such as stent displacement, migration, and re-stenosis, and existing venous stents are not specifically designed for the internal jugular or azygous veins.

Innovation Solution

Development of endovascular and exovascular devices with tunable stents that can be constrained, self-expand, and further pressure-expand to match the anatomy of stenotic veins, including self-expanding components and plastically deformable constraining members, to ensure proper anchoring and prevent migration, along with methods for customizing and adjusting the devices based on individual vein measurements and anatomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing venous stents are used for treating CCVI, then the treatment can be provided, but the stents are not properly sized and shaped for the internal jugular or azygous veins, leading to displacement and migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of stent to vein anatomyVSAvoidstent stability in vein

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is designed with varying properties along its length to match the specific anatomy of the internal jugular or azygous veins. Different sections of the stent have different expansion ratios, flexibilities, and radial strengths to accommodate the natural curvature and diameter variations of the target vein, preventing displacement and migration while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The stent incorporates dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to physiological movements and changes in vein diameter. The stent can flex and conform to the natural movements of the neck and thoracic cavity, maintaining stable anchoring while accommodating changes in venous pressure and flow conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional angioplasty techniques are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the stents lack proper size and length, causing re-stenosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of standard stent sizesVSAvoidcustomization of stent to patient anatomy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stent manufacturing process allows for customization of key parameters including length, diameter, expansion ratio, and flexibility to match the specific anatomy of each patient's internal jugular or azygous veins. This enables precise fitting to the patient's unique vascular geometry, preventing re-stenosis while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized customization protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If standard stents are used, then the treatment is simpler, but the stents may displace or migrate due to lack of proper anchoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of stent designVSAvoidanchoring stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stent design incorporates asymmetric features such as directional barbs, uneven expansion patterns, or asymmetric anchoring elements that provide secure fixation in the vein. These asymmetric characteristics prevent the stent from migrating or displacing while maintaining relatively simple overall design and ease of deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution effectively improves blood flow by equalizing pressure upstream and downstream of stenotic regions, reducing the risk of re-stenosis and migration, and providing a secure fit within the veins, thus addressing the limitations of existing treatments for CCVI.

Implementation Method 1

comprises at least one self-expanding stent member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-expansion: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least one plastically deformable constraining member connected to the at least one self-expanding stent member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20220202555A1Methods, systems and devices for treatment of cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis

Publication Date: 2022.06.30 EXPLORAMED DEVELOPMENT LLC

AI summary

Methods and devices for relieving stenoses in, or otherwise improving blood flow through, body lumens. Although applicable in a variety of different body lumens, the methods and devices of this invention are specifically useable for relieving stenoses in, or otherwise improving blood flow through, veins which drain blood from the brain for treatment of multiple sclerosis or other neurodegenerative disorders that are caused, triggered or exacerbated by venous occlusion or venous insufficiency.