Variable-Porosity Braided Stent for Flexibility and Radial Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stents lack the ability to effectively manage varying porosity and radial strength for treating bifurcation aneurysms and other vascular conditions, as well as provide high coverage to prevent emboli and thrombus migration, while maintaining flexibility and strength.
Innovation Solution
A stent design with regions of differing porosity and radial strength, achieved through braiding techniques and mechanical ties, allowing for customizable porosity and strength, and the integration of drug-eluting inserts for therapeutic benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stent with high porosity is used to maintain flexibility and blood flow, then flexibility and blood flow are improved, but radial strength and coverage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stent incorporates regions of high porosity for flexibility and blood flow maintenance, and regions of low porosity for radial strength and emboli coverage. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent is divided into multiple segments or regions with different porosity characteristics. The high porosity regions provide flexibility while low porosity regions provide radial strength, allowing the stent to simultaneously achieve both properties through spatial segmentation.
2Reliability
If a stent with high coverage is used to prevent emboli and thrombus migration, then coverage and safety are improved, but flexibility and blood flow are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stent applies high coverage only in regions where emboli prevention is critical, while maintaining high porosity in regions where flexibility and blood flow are priorities. This localized approach optimizes the trade-off between coverage and flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform porosity is used throughout the stent, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to treat different vascular conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stent features varying porosity across different regions, with high porosity zones for flexibility and low porosity zones for coverage. This local differentiation enables customization for different vascular conditions while maintaining manufacturability through established braiding techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A stent with varying porosity is described. The stent can be comprised of multiple stents attached together. A braided stent may have selected regions of increased thickness. The stent may be comprised of wires that are welded together at their ends in order to minimize vessel trauma. The stent may comprise a helically wound radiopaque wire wound through the stent.