Vascular Filter Radial Expansion and Apex Orientation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular filter devices face challenges such as tilting during deployment, endothelial growth restricting filter movement, and increased risk of thrombosis due to embedded apex or hook, leading to vessel trauma and infection complications.
Innovation Solution
A vascular filter device with filter elements that extend radially outwardly and are temporarily restrained at a distal apex, featuring a holder that changes from a slack to a taut state to prevent movement to the open position, ensuring proper filtration and minimizing endothelial growth interference, with biodegradable or flexible materials for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter is deployed with the apex free to point into or along the vessel wall, then the filter can be easily deployed, but the filter tilts and the apex becomes embedded in the vessel wall causing thrombosis or perforation
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is designed with a tip that prevents the apex from pointing into or along the vessel wall during deployment. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the natural tendency of the apex to tilt and embed, thereby preventing thrombosis or perforation while maintaining ease of deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery catheter acts as an intermediary device that controls the orientation of the filter during deployment. By using the catheter tip as a guiding mechanism, the filter is deployed in the correct orientation without requiring complex additional components
2Stability of the object's composition
If the filter elements are restrained to prevent radial outward movement, then the filter maintains its closed filtering position, but endothelial growth may further restrict movement and prevent opening
Solution Approach 1:
The holder member is designed to be biodegradable, transitioning from a stable restraining state to a degradable state over time. This dynamic property allows the filter to maintain stability during the filtering period while automatically becoming adaptable for opening after the holder degrades
Solution Approach 2:
The holder member is designed as a temporary, biodegradable component that serves its restraining function for a limited period and then degrades naturally. This disposable approach eliminates the need for complex release mechanisms while ensuring the filter can open when needed
3Speed
If the filter apex is allowed to expand instantaneously upon release, then the filter deployment is quick, but the filter assumes a tilted position that prevents retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter tip is designed to control the expansion sequence, preventing the apex from expanding first. This preliminary anti-action ensures the filter expands in the correct orientation, maintaining retrieval ease while achieving quick deployment
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 device effectively reduces the risk of thrombosis and vessel trauma by maintaining filter position and allowing for safe retrieval, while minimizing endothelial growth interference and infection risks through radial outward extension and biodegradable materials.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter element extends radially outwardly with respect to a device longitudinal axis when unconstrained
Data Source
AI summary
A vascular filter device (1) has a support (2) for engaging the wall of a blood vessel. A filter has filter elements (5) having proximal segments (10) connected to the support (3) and distal segments at least temporarily restrained at a distal apex (7) by a holder when in a filtering closed position. At least one filter element (5) extends radially outwardly with respect to a device longitudinal axis when unconstrained. The filter element may extend in a curve with a concave portion facing radially outwardly in an unconstrained configuration.