Twisted Transition Stent Mesh for Aortic Sinotubular Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stent grafts struggle to provide an adequate seal near the sinotubular junction of the aorta due to anatomical changes in size and diameter, leading to issues with leakage and insufficient sealing.

Innovation Solution

A stent with intersecting elongated members forming cells of varying diameters and pitches, including a second section with twisted pairs of members, designed to transition smoothly from a smaller to a larger diameter, providing enhanced radial support and a self-expanding capability to securely anchor near the sinotubular junction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional seal stents are used near the sinotubular junction, then the stent can be placed in the aorta, but inadequate sealing occurs due to anatomical changes in size and diameter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidadaptability to anatomical changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is divided into multiple sections (first section with constant diameter, second transition section, and third section with larger diameter) to accommodate different anatomical regions. Each section can be independently designed with specific cell configurations to address local sealing requirements at the sinotubular junction where anatomical changes occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the stent have different cell pitches and configurations tailored to specific anatomical regions. The transition section has varying cell sizes to match the gradual anatomical change from the ascending aorta to the aortic root, providing localized adaptability to sealing requirements without compromising the entire stent structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stent diameter transitions from smaller to larger to match anatomical changes, then adaptability to the sinotubular junction is improved, but structural uniformity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to anatomical changesVSAvoidstructural uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stent incorporates a dynamic transition section where the cell configuration gradually changes from the first diameter to the second diameter. This dynamic adaptation allows the stent to conform to the gradual anatomical changes at the sinotubular junction while maintaining overall structural integrity through controlled variation rather than abrupt changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transition section uses curved or tapered geometries to smoothly connect the smaller diameter first section to the larger diameter third section. This curved transition mimics the natural anatomical curvature of the sinotubular junction, providing adaptability while maintaining structural stability through continuous geometric transitions rather than sharp angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Force

If the first section has tighter cell pitch for greater radial force, then radial support is improved, but flexibility for expansion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial forceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is segmented into different pitch zones: the first section has tighter pitch for high radial force where needed, while the second and third sections have looser pitch for flexibility and ease of delivery. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific functional requirement without compromising the overall device performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different cell pitch configurations are applied locally to different sections of the stent based on specific functional requirements. The tighter pitch is localized to the first section where maximum radial support is needed, while other sections have adjusted pitch for flexibility, creating local quality variations that optimize overall performance without uniform complexity throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 stent effectively seals and supports the aorta near the sinotubular junction, minimizing leakage and ensuring secure placement while allowing sufficient blood flow to coronary arteries.

Implementation Method 1

in the second section, the plurality of intersecting elongated members comprises a plurality of pairs of elongated members, wherein each pair of elongated members comprises two adjacent elongated members twisted axially around each other to form a twist between each of two adjacent elongated members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical twisting:

Implementation Method 2

providing enhanced radial support and a self-expanding capability to securely anchor near the sinotubular junction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic expansion: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3431039B1Non-cylindrical mesh top stent with twisted sections
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3431039B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3431039B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3431039B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stent is disclosed having a plurality of intersecting elongated members (20) arranged to form a plurality of cells (22), the plurality of cells defining an elongated tube with a lumen running therethrough. The elongated tube has first (12), second (13), and third (14) sections, the first section (12) having a substantially first diameter and the third section (14) having a substantially constant second diameter that is larger than the substantially constant first diameter of the first section (12), wherein the diameter of the second section (13) transitions from the first diameter to the second diameter. Each of the plurality of cells (22) within the first section (12) have a pitch that is tighter than each of the plurality of cells within the second (13) and third (14) sections. In the second section (13), the plurality of intersecting elongated members includes a plurality of pairs of elongated members, wherein each pair of elongated members includes two adjacent elongated members twisted (23) axially around each other.