Intraluminal Vascular Prosthesis Fenestration Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraluminal vascular prostheses for treating aneurysms face challenges in accurately forming fenestrations without damaging the graft material, leading to uncontrolled blood flow and the need for custom-fitted implants.

Innovation Solution

An intraluminal vascular prosthesis with meandering circumferential rings and a fabric structure of interwoven warp and weft threads, featuring defined fenestration areas with a non-interwoven thread structure that allows for controlled opening formation using an expansion element, preventing material damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fenestrations are formed by penetrating the prosthesis material after implantation, then openings for side branches can be created, but the graft material is torn or damaged leading to uncontrolled fenestration expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to form fenestrations in-situVSAvoidcontrol of fenestration size and position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining fenestration areas in the prosthesis material before implantation. These areas are prepared in advance with a specific non-interwoven thread structure that facilitates controlled opening formation, eliminating the need to penetrate intact graft material during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a distinct non-interwoven thread structure specifically in the fenestration areas, while the rest of the prosthesis material maintains its standard interwoven structure. This localized structural modification enables controlled opening formation only at predetermined locations without compromising the integrity of the surrounding graft material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If precise positioning of the prosthesis is required to align fenestrations with side vessels, then fenestration function is achieved, but the implantation process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment of fenestrations with side vesselsVSAvoidpositioning requirements during implantation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the prosthesis with multiple predefined fenestration areas that can accommodate different side vessel configurations. The prosthesis can be used in various anatomical situations without requiring custom positioning, as the multiple fenestration areas provide flexibility for different implantation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If custom-fitted implants are used to prevent uncontrolled blood flow, then patient-specific requirements are met, but the productivity and availability of the treatment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of blood flow through fenestrationsVSAvoidavailability of standardized implants

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the thread structure parameter in specific areas of the prosthesis material. The transition from interwoven to non-interwoven thread structure in fenestration areas creates a controlled parameter change that enables reliable blood flow management while maintaining standardized implant production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flexible vascular implants that can be quickly and accurately deployed without precise positioning, reducing the risk of material damage and uncontrolled blood flow, allowing for efficient blood supply to branching vessels.

Implementation Method 1

penetrating the at least one fenestration area (18) of the intraluminal vascular prosthesis (10, 60, 70, 80) with an expansion element (20) to form at least one opening (22) in the fenestration area (18), the prosthesis material (14) being displaced by the expansion element (20) in the area of the opening (22) to be formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

Due to the spring action of the metal frame, the stent expands again into its original shape and thereby spans its jacket surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring action: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2846731B1Intraluminal vascular prosthesis having in-situ fenestration

Publication Date: 2018.07.04 JOTEC

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A

AI summary

The present invention relates to an intraluminal vascular prosthesis (10; 40; 60; 70; 80) for implanting into a blood vessel, comprising rings (12, 12', 12'', 12''', 12'''') arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the intraluminal vascular prosthesis, said rings comprising supports (13) that extend in a meandering manner, and a prosthetic material (14) that is fastened to the rings (12, 12', 12'', 12''', 12'''') and that connects the rings. The prosthetic material has at least one fenestration area (18) for forming at least one opening (22) for outgoing side branches (20; 61, 62, 63), wherein in the fenestration area (18) the prosthetic material (14) has a tissue structure in which warp threads and weft threads are not woven with each other.