Vascular Implant Delivery Device With Flexible Outer Winding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional delivery devices for vascular implants face challenges in navigating narrow and tortuous vasculature due to their flexibility, which hinders advancement and retraction through microcatheters, and often result in binding issues due to diameter fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

A delivery device comprising a core member with a flexible outer winding that allows torque transmission and detachment/attachment of implants, featuring a coupling member for secure implant attachment and detachment, and a manufacturing process that includes cold working and swaging to maintain a consistent outer diameter for reduced binding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the delivery device is made flexible to navigate tortuous vasculature, then the ability to maneuver through narrow and tortuous paths is improved, but the device experiences binding issues and difficulty in advancement and retraction through microcatheters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to navigate tortuous vasculatureVSAvoidadvancement and retraction through microcatheters

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device employs an outer winding comprising multiple wires that provides flexibility for navigating tortuous vasculature while maintaining a consistent outer diameter. The flexible construction allows the device to bend and conform to vessel geometry without binding within the microcatheter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device maintains a consistent outer diameter parameter throughout its length, preventing the diameter fluctuations that cause binding. This parameter control allows the flexible device to advance and retract smoothly through the microcatheter without getting stuck

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the outer diameter is reduced to fit within microcatheters, then the ability to deliver through narrow vasculature is improved, but the torque transmission capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveouter diameterVSAvoidtorque transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device uses a composite construction with a core member and an outer winding of multiple wires. This composite structure provides adequate torque transmission capability while maintaining a small outer diameter suitable for microcatheter delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The outer winding is configured with specific geometric characteristics that optimize torque transmission within the constrained diameter. The winding pattern and wire arrangement provide mechanical advantage for force transmission from the proximal to distal end

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the delivery device is made rigid to maintain consistent outer diameter, then binding within microcatheters is reduced, but the ability to navigate tortuous vasculature deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement through microcathetersVSAvoidnavigation through tortuous vasculature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a flexible outer winding construction that allows adaptation to tortuous vasculature while maintaining consistent outer diameter dimensions. The flexibility enables bending without compromising the diameter control that prevents binding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables effective navigation through tortuous vasculature, facilitates implant deployment and recapture, and minimizes binding within microcatheters by maintaining a consistent outer surface, ensuring adequate torque transmission and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a manufacturing process that includes cold working and swaging to maintain a consistent outer diameter for reduced binding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCold working: Cold-forming

Implementation Method 2

a manufacturing process that includes cold working and swaging to maintain a consistent outer diameter for reduced binding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwaging:

Data Source

PatentEP2916744B1Devices for delivering vascular implants

Publication Date: 2020.05.20 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC

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Figure 4~5B
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AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to delivery devices, methods, and systems for delivering an implant to a target site. In one embodiment, a delivery - device (10) includes a core member (12) defining a proximal end and a distal end and an outer winding (14) defining a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer winding surrounds and is coupled to the core member. The outer winding extends at least partially between the proximal end of the core member and the distal end of the core member, and the outer winding is configured for displacement within a delivery catheter. The delivery device further includes a coupling member (16) at the distal end of the core member configured to releasably attach to an implant.