Vascular Implant Sheath Drive for Slip-Free Catheter Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantation devices for vascular implants often experience relative movement between the sheath and catheter system during implantation, leading to incorrect positioning and complications due to high frictional forces, especially with self-expanding implants and those incorporating sensor functions.
Innovation Solution
An implantation device featuring an internally toothed gear and transport devices with externally toothed gears and spindles, which transmit rotation to an adapter and subsequently move a tubular sheath, reducing the need for manual force and minimizing relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual force is used to push the sheath backwards during implantation, then the implant can be discharged, but relative movement between the sheath and catheter system occurs leading to incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pushing action with a threaded engagement system. The threaded adapter engages with the sheath and, when rotated, converts rotational motion into precise linear displacement of the sheath along the catheter axis. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for manual pushing while providing controlled, slip-free discharge and accurate positioning through the threaded mechanism's inherent precision.
2Reliability
If high frictional force exists between the sheath and implant, then the implant can be securely held, but excessive force is required for discharge and relative movement of the catheter system occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct linear pushing force with a rotational torque applied to the threaded adapter. The threaded engagement converts this rotational motion into controlled linear displacement, mechanically advantageously reducing the effort required. The thread geometry provides a mechanical advantage that transforms small rotational forces into the necessary linear force to overcome friction and discharge the sheath without causing catheter movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic threaded engagement system that allows controlled relative motion between the adapter and sheath. By rotating the adapter along the threaded engagement, the system dynamically transitions from a high-friction retained state to a discharged state, enabling controlled displacement that overcomes friction gradually rather than requiring sudden high force.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter system is fixed with one hand and the sheath is pulled back with the other, then the sheath can be discharged, but slight relative movement occurs leading to incorrect implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the two-handed manual operation with a single-handed rotational operation of the threaded adapter. The threaded mechanism inherently guides the sheath's linear movement along the catheter axis, eliminating lateral or rotational deviations that occur during manual pulling. This substitution provides precise, controlled discharge while maintaining catheter stability, as the threaded engagement acts as a mechanical guide.
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 secure and accurate implantation of vascular implants by reducing the risk of catheter movement relative to the sheath, allowing for slip-free discharge with higher force and torque transmission compared to prior systems.
Implementation Method 1
The implantation device according to the invention has an internally toothed gear, which can advantageously be designed in the shape of a cylinder. The implantation device according to the invention also has one or more transport devices arranged adjacent to one another. Each of the transport devices has a spindle and an externally toothed gear arranged coaxially to the spindle. The gears of the one or more transport devices are in engagement with the internally toothed gear. In this way, a rotation of the internally toothed gear is transmitted to the externally toothed gears of the transport devices, which in turn cause the spindles to rotate.
Implementation Method 2
According to the invention, the spindles of the one or more transport devices are each in engagement with one of the threads of the adapter. The internal threads of the adapter therefore advantageously each have the same pitch as the spindle that engages in this thread. A rotation of the spindles therefore leads to a movement of the adapter in the direction of the axis of the spindles.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an implantation device for implanting a vascular implant, which enables a vascular implant to be easily positioned and to be discharged in a slip-free manner.