Vascular Bypass Prosthesis Deployment with Dual Balloon Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic devices for vascular bypass surgery, such as between the aorta and femoral arteries, are complex, expensive, and prone to causing bleeding during deployment, making them inaccessible to all vascular surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A deployment system for a vascular prosthesis using at least one stent, with a sheath and two expandable balloons for shaping, stabilizing, and sealing the prosthesis within the vessel, allowing independent expansion to adjust pressure and kinetics, reducing the risk of bleeding and simplifying the construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laparoscopic device with self-expanding stents and gap seal region is used, then less invasive surgery is enabled, but the device construction becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a delivery catheter for minimally invasive introduction, self-expanding stent segments for vascular support, and a seal region with opening for vessel wall penetration. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the overall system to achieve complex surgical goals through simpler, specialized components rather than a monolithic complex device
Solution Approach 2:
The stent and seal region structures are nested within the delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing the entire assembly to be introduced through small incisions. Upon deployment, the nested structures expand sequentially - the stent expands first to provide structural support, followed by the seal region that creates the anastomosis opening, enabling complex functionality through nested deployment
2Ease of operation
If a laparoscopic device with self-expanding stents is used, then non-open surgery is enabled, but heavy bleeding occurs during prosthesis deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is pre-formed with a self-expanding memory structure that automatically assumes its final configuration upon release from the delivery catheter. This preliminary preparation allows the stent to expand controllably at the target site without requiring excessive force or complex deployment mechanisms that could damage the vessel wall and cause bleeding
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system incorporates controlled expansion mechanisms that gradually deploy the stent and seal region, cushioning the expansion force to prevent sudden vessel wall rupture. The self-expanding design distributes force evenly across the stent structure, avoiding concentrated stress points that could tear the vessel wall and cause hemorrhage during the anastomosis procedure
3Reliability
If open surgery is performed for aorto-bifemoral bypass, then reliable vascular connection is achieved, but the surgery becomes invasive
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional open surgical techniques requiring large incisions and manual suturing are replaced with a endovascular delivery system that uses controlled balloon expansion and self-expanding stent mechanics to create and secure the vascular anastomosis. The mechanical force of balloon expansion creates the opening, and the self-expanding stent provides continuous radial support, replacing complex manual surgical maneuvers with controlled mechanical deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery catheter and balloon expanders serve as intermediary devices that facilitate the creation of the vascular anastomosis without requiring direct surgical exposure. The catheter delivers the stent to the target site, the balloon creates the opening through controlled expansion, and the self-expanding stent maintains the connection - all through intermediary mechanical actions rather than direct surgical manipulation
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 system enables less invasive vascular surgery by stabilizing and sealing the prosthesis effectively within the vessel, reducing the risk of bleeding and making the procedure more accessible to all vascular surgeons.
Implementation Method 1
a first expandable balloon for shaping and stabilizing the prosthesis in the vessel
Implementation Method 2
a second expandable balloon for sealing the junction between said end portion of the prosthesis and the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
The system, which comprises at least one stent, with an end portion to be introduced into a vessel and to connect it there, has a sheath designed to be introduced into the vessel and comprising a first expansible balloon (8b), for shaping and stabilizing the prosthesis in the vessel, and a second expansible balloon (7), for sealing the junction between said end portion of the prosthesis and the vessel, the system additionally comprising means for expanding the balloons (8b, 7).