Twisted Non-Woven Occlusion Device for Varying Tissue Defects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occlusion devices for body tissue defects, such as atrial septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus, face challenges in adapting to varying tunnel widths and providing consistent pressure without clamping down on the tissue.
Innovation Solution
An occlusion device with a non-woven middle portion made of twisted shape memory wires, which can expand and contract axially while maintaining a consistent diameter, and is accompanied by shape memory distal and proximal portions to apply consistent pressure to the body tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional woven or braided nitinol wire designs are used, then the device structure is stable and predictable, but the device cannot easily adapt to varying tunnel widths and cannot provide consistent pressure without clamping down on tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a non-woven fabric structure made of interconnected nitinol wires that can flex and deform elastically. This non-woven configuration allows the middle portion to expand and contract axially while maintaining radial stability, enabling adaptation to different tunnel widths without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the shape memory properties of nitinol material to change physical parameters (shape, diameter) in response to temperature or mechanical stimuli. The middle portion can transition between compressed and expanded states, allowing the device to adapt to varying anatomical dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.
2Stress or pressure
If traditional devices clamp down on body tissue to provide pressure, then adequate occlusion pressure is achieved, but tissue damage and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The non-woven middle portion acts as a flexible distributed pressure application surface that conforms to the tissue geometry. This allows the device to apply consistent occlusion pressure through elastic rebound rather than rigid clamping, distributing the force across multiple contact points and reducing localized tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic non-woven structure inherently provides cushioning between the rigid disc portions and the soft tissue. This cushioning layer absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses before they reach the tissue, preventing direct clamping damage while maintaining effective occlusion pressure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the middle portion deforms significantly during axial expansion and contraction, then the device can adapt to different opening sizes, but the diameter control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-woven fabric structure provides axial flexibility while maintaining radial stability. The interconnected wire geometry allows the fabric to expand and contract along the longitudinal axis without significant change in diameter, enabling size adaptation while preserving diameter control precision through the inherent geometric constraints of the non-woven pattern.
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 device effectively occludes openings of varying widths by maintaining a consistent pressure and minimizing tissue damage, as it can expand to fit different sizes without deforming significantly, thus providing a more secure and adaptable solution for body tissue defects.
Implementation Method 1
The distal portion has a preset distal diameter and is made of a shape memory material. The proximal portion has a preset proximal diameter and is made of a shape memory material.
Implementation Method 2
the non-woven middle portion may more easily expand and contract axially, and because in some embodiments the diameter of the middle portion may not deform significantly during axial expansion and contraction.
Data Source
AI summary
An occlusion device and a method for occluding an opening in a body tissue with the occlusion device are provided. The occlusion device comprises a middle portion, a distal portion, and a proximal portion. The middle portion may be formed of non-woven wires and twisted about the longitudinal axis. The distal portion and the proximal portion may be comprised of a shape memory material. The occlusion device may be shape set to establish a preset configuration, and thus may be deformable to fit in and occlude the opening in the body tissue.