Valvular Stent Loading Structure for Inner Core Tube Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-expanding valvular stents face issues during loading and delivery due to thin inner core tubes flexing, hindering guide wire passage and causing scratches or damage to the delivery system, and the tines are prone to piling and twisting.

Innovation Solution

A stent load structure with a securing member and guide member that supports the valvular stent, using a guide member to stabilize the inner core tube and prevent flexing, and a separation member to space apart the branched portions, ensuring smooth guide wire passage and robust stent release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a thin inner core tube is used for loading the self-expanding valvular stent, then the delivery system can be minimally invasive, but the inner core tube flexes during loading and retrieval, hindering guide wire passage and affecting stent release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinner core tube thicknessVSAvoidguide wire passage and stent release

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guide member as an intermediary component between the inner core tube and the valvular stent. The guide member provides structural support and guidance during loading and retrieval operations, while the inner core tube maintains its thin profile for minimally invasive delivery. The guide member acts as a mediator that transfers and stabilizes forces during critical operations without requiring the inner core tube to be thicker.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the inner core tube is very thin and small in outer diameter, then the delivery system is less invasive, but it tends to flex during preoperative loading and intraoperative retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery system invasivenessVSAvoidinner core tube stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the support function into two separate components: the inner core tube maintains its thin profile for ease of delivery, while the guide member provides the necessary structural stability during loading and retrieval. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If self-expanding valvular stent tines are designed to open in a petal manner, then they provide support after expansion, but the tines are prone to piling and twisting during loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent support functionVSAvoidtine piling and twisting

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the guide member to pre-position and space the tines before the expansion phase. The guide member includes features that maintain proper tine orientation and spacing during loading and delivery, preventing piling and twisting from occurring in the first place. This preliminary structuring ensures the tines are ready for proper expansion without having been damaged during loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Volume of moving object

If the tines are closely positioned during loading, then the stent can be compacted for delivery, but the tines are prone to twisting and causing scratches or damage to the outer sheath

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent compactnessVSAvoidouter sheath damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member serves as an intermediary protective element between the stent tines and the outer sheath during loading and delivery. It maintains proper tine spacing and orientation, preventing the tines from twisting and scratching the outer sheath while still allowing the stent to be compacted for delivery through the catheter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4717232A1Stent assembling structure, catheter assembly and delivery system

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SHANGHAI MICROPORT CARDIOFLOW MEDTECH CO LTD

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Figure 5~6

AI summary

This application relates to a stent load structure. A securing member comprises a securing bore axially extending therethrough. The securing bore is configured for insertion of an inner core tube therein. The securing member has a distal securing portion configured to secure a valvular stent. A guide member comprises a guide bore axially extending therethrough, which is configured for insertion of the inner core tube therein. A proximal end of the guide member is coupled to a distal end of the securing member so that the guide bore is brought into communication with the securing bore. The guide member that is sleeved over the inner core tube is configured to support the valvular stent. Guided by the guide member, the valvular stent can be more easily loaded. Moreover, the valvular stent is directly supported by the guide member, instead of by the inner core tube that is thin and has a relatively small diameter, so that the guide member may fill the gap between the valvular stent and the inner core tube. Thus, the thin inner core tube can be supported and thereby protected from possible flexing during its delivery, or during loading of the valvular stent, ensuring smooth passage of the guide wire and robust release of the valvular stent.