Vascular Flow Filter With Adjustable Porosity and Bidirectional Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filters used in endovascular procedures are not effective in maintaining patency for extended periods and often fail to prevent embolic release, requiring immediate occlusion which can lead to post-operative complications.
Innovation Solution
Development of flow devices with a support frame and flow media that remain patent for extended periods, allowing gradual occlusion and are retrievable from either distal or proximal approaches, featuring bi-directional deployment and adjustable porosity to capture embolic debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filters are used in endovascular procedures, then immediate occlusion is achieved, but patency is not maintained for extended periods and embolic release occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system that adapts its porosity over time. The flow media is designed to maintain initial patency for extended periods while gradually reducing porosity to achieve occlusion, allowing the device to respond to different temporal requirements of vascular protection
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in porosity as a key parameter to resolve the contradiction. Initially, high porosity maintains patency and prevents embolic release, while over time the porosity decreases to achieve occlusion. This temporal variation in a critical parameter allows the filter to serve multiple functions at different stages
2Reliability
If filters are designed to remain patent for extended periods, then embolic protection is improved, but the ability to achieve occlusion when needed is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device implements periodic action through its temporal progression of porosity changes. It operates in distinct phases: an initial period of high porosity for embolic protection, followed by a gradual transition period, and finally a period of low porosity for occlusion. This periodic variation in permeability allows the device to achieve both extended patency and timely occlusion
3Adaptability or versatility
If flow devices are made retrievable from both distal and proximal approaches, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device achieves universality by designing a symmetric retrieval mechanism that works from both distal and proximal approaches. The same structural features and engagement mechanisms enable retrieval from either direction, allowing a single device design to serve multiple access scenarios without requiring direction-specific variants
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall retrieval mechanism is symmetric, the device incorporates asymmetric features in its deployment and engagement systems. The support frame and flow media arrangement create asymmetric characteristics that facilitate controlled deployment from either direction while maintaining the ability to be retrieved from both approaches, balancing complexity with functionality
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the instant disclosure relate to flow devices including filters and occluders for modifying flow in body conduits such as blood vessels. In some examples, such devices include a support structure and a flow media coupled to the support structure. The medical device generally further includes one or more capture features. In some examples, the capture features are coupled to the support structure at one or more of the proximal and distal ends of the support structure. In various examples, the capture features facilitate retrograde and antegrade deployment of the medical device and retrograde and antegrade capture of the medical device.