Ultraviolet Cured Permeable Balloon for Rapid Aneurysm Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolization devices, such as embolization coils, do not provide immediate occlusion of blood vessels, leading to increased risk of aneurism rupture during treatment due to slow blood clot formation.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable balloon made of permeable material, filled with a solidifiable material that is cured using light to adhere to the vessel wall, ensuring rapid occlusion of the vessel cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If embolization coils are used to occlude blood vessels, then the device structure is simple and easy to deploy, but the occlusion process is slow due to gradual blood clot formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state of the filling material from liquid to solid through UV light curing, transforming the occlusion process from slow (relying on natural clotting) to instant (photo-polymerization). The balloon is inflated with liquid adhesive material that rapidly cures upon UV exposure, achieving immediate occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/coagulative process of natural blood clot formation with a photochemical curing process. UV light activates the adhesive material to solidify instantly, substituting the slow biological clotting mechanism with a controllable chemical reaction.
2Reliability
If embolization coils are used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the patient is exposed to greater risk of aneurism rupture during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the balloon in the aneurism cavity before activation. The balloon is delivered in deflated state through the catheter, positioned precisely, then inflated and cured to secure occlusion before any potential rupture can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid phase change from liquid to solid upon UV curing provides immediate structural integrity, transforming the filling material from a flowable state to a rigid embolic mass that instantly secures the occlusion and prevents aneurism rupture.
3Manufacturing precision
If a permeable balloon is used to allow material passage, then the occlusion effectiveness is improved, but the balloon material complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous or permeable balloon material that allows the liquid adhesive material to pass through the balloon wall and contact the aneurism cavity interior surfaces. This porosity enables the filling material to penetrate and adhere to irregular cavity surfaces, ensuring complete occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon structure combines permeable material properties with structural integrity requirements, creating a composite construction that allows fluid passage while maintaining sufficient strength to withstand inflation and provide stable occlusion framework.
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 balloon provides immediate and secure occlusion of the vessel, reducing the risk of aneurism rupture by rapidly forming a solid emboli that adheres to the vessel wall, outperforming traditional coils in treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The inflation member is configured to transmit light to cure the solidifiable material
Implementation Method 2
The permeable material is configured to allow inflation of the balloon and a portion of the solidifiable material to pass through the permeable material for contact with the cavity wall
Data Source
AI summary
An embolization device for occluding a body vessel cavity defined by a cavity wall is disclosed. The device includes an inflatable balloon made of a permeable material. The balloon is configured to have a deflated state and an inflated state and includes a proximal portion having an inflation hole formed therethrough to a cavity within the balloon. An inflation member is removably attached to the proximal portion and is configured to introduce a material in the cavity by way of the hole for inflation of the balloon. The permeable material is configured to allow inflation of the balloon and a portion of the solidifiable material to pass through the permeable material for contact with the cavity wall. The inflation member is configured to transmit, for example, ultra violet light to cure a solidifiable material, thereby maintaining the balloon in the inflated state and to adhering the balloon to the cavity wall.