Self-Expanding Stent With Variable Diameters For Tinnitus Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively mitigate tinnitus by modulating blood flow pressure, particularly in cases of pulsatile and non-pulsatile forms, which often require innovative solutions to alter blood flow dynamics within blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel mechanical self-expanding devices with multiple diameters and baffles, coated with materials like PTFE and polyurethane, which are placed strategically to alter blood flow dynamics and pressure gradients, specifically targeting the carotid, vertebral, and sagittal sinuses to address tinnitus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single-diameter stents are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but blood flow modulation capability is insufficient for effective tinnitus treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple segments with different diameters along its length, allowing each segment to independently modulate blood flow in different vascular regions. This segmentation enables sophisticated blood flow control while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the stent are designed with locally optimized properties - varying diameters, wall thicknesses, and material compositions - to address specific blood flow requirements at different locations, thereby achieving effective tinnitus treatment without requiring complex device control systems.
2Reliability
If multiple diameter stents are deployed to modulate blood flow, then tinnitus relief is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent design utilizes controlled changes in geometric parameters (diameter, wall thickness) along its length to achieve the desired blood flow modulation. These parameter changes are implemented through standardized manufacturing processes, maintaining manufacturability while ensuring treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent employs composite material structures that allow different sections to have tailored mechanical and flow characteristics. This enables effective tinnitus treatment through optimized blood flow modulation while using established material fabrication techniques to control manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stents with multiple diameters are placed to create pressure gradients, then blood flow dynamics are altered effectively, but device placement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stent design incorporates dynamic adaptability through its multi-diameter configuration, allowing the device to automatically adjust blood flow patterns based on the inherent vascular anatomy. This reduces the precision requirements for placement while maintaining effective blood flow modulation for tinnitus treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent's multi-diameter structure enables self-adjustment of blood flow dynamics upon deployment, with the varying diameters naturally creating pressure gradients that modulate flow without requiring precise external control or placement, thereby reducing placement precision requirements.
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
These devices effectively alleviate tinnitus symptoms by modulating blood flow, creating a pressure gradient change that provides relief from both pulsatile and non-pulsatile forms, offering a reliable treatment option through optimized placement and delivery mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
self-expanding devices having at least about two or more diameters
Implementation Method 2
creating a pressure gradient change that provides relief from both pulsatile and non-pulsatile forms
Data Source
AI summary
New devices use baffles and multiple diameters to treat and prevent ringing in the ears by altering pressure gradients in subject sinuses/vessels. Novel braided stents with variable radial force based upon wires added and woven allows 7-11 cm therapies, for example, to resolve pulsatile tinnitus in patients under conscious sedation.