Vascular Anchoring System Self-Expansion Bifurcation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positioning and maintaining an implant in a vascular area, especially in bifurcated vasculature, is challenging due to unintended movement, which can lead to misalignment and undesired consequences, particularly when the implant is sectioned into portions that need to be positioned relative to each other.
Innovation Solution
A vascular anchoring system with self-aligning and self-expanding anchoring trunk members and branch members that are flexible and compliant to the vessel wall, allowing for unobstructed fluid flow and accommodation of variations in vessel size and shape, ensuring proper positioning and stabilization within the vascular area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the implant is sectioned into portions for insertion within vascular area, then the ease of insertion is improved, but the stability and alignment of the implant portions deteriorate due to unintended movement
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is divided into multiple sections including a first anchoring section with first anchors, a second anchoring section with second anchors, and connecting portions. This segmentation allows each section to be independently positioned and secured within the vascular area, improving ease of insertion while maintaining overall stability through the connecting portions that prevent unintended movement between sections
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system employs a nested structure where the first and second anchoring sections are positioned relative to each other within the vascular area, with connecting portions linking them. This nesting approach allows compact insertion while maintaining proper spatial arrangement and alignment of the separated portions once deployed
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implant is made flexible and compliant to accommodate vessel variations, then the adaptability to vessel size and shape is improved, but the precision of positioning and alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system incorporates flexible and compliant connecting portions that can dynamically adapt to variations in vessel size and shape while maintaining proper positioning. The flexibility allows the system to conform to different vascular geometries without compromising the relative alignment between anchoring sections, as the connecting portions can flex and adjust while keeping the sections properly positioned
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes materials and structures with variable mechanical properties that allow it to change its physical parameters (flexibility, compliance) to match the vessel characteristics. The connecting portions are designed to be flexible and compliant, enabling the system to adapt to different vessel sizes and shapes while maintaining adequate positioning precision through the anchoring mechanisms
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 vascular anchoring system effectively maintains alignment and stability within the vascular area, accommodating variations in vessel size and shape while allowing for unobstructed fluid flow, reducing the risk of misalignment and ensuring safe implant placement.
Implementation Method 1
self-aligning and self-expanding anchoring trunk members and branch members
Implementation Method 2
flexible and compliant to the vessel wall, allowing for unobstructed fluid flow and accommodation of variations in vessel size and shape
Data Source
AI summary
As described herein, vascular anchoring systems are used to position an implant in a vascular area such as a bifurcated vasculature with relatively high fluid flow, for instance, in an area of a pulmonary artery with associated left and right pulmonary arteries. Implementations include an anchoring trunk member having a first anchoring trunk section and a second anchoring trunk section. Further implementations include a first anchoring branch member extending from the anchoring trunk member. Still further implementations include a second anchoring branch member extending from the anchoring trunk member.