Vascular Delivery Device Torque Transmission Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current delivery devices for vascular devices in treating septal defects lack the ability to easily and accurately adjust the orientation of the device within the body lumen, which is crucial for proper positioning and deployment, especially for non-symmetric devices.

Innovation Solution

A delivery device comprising an outer tubular member, an intermediate tubular member, and an inner member, where the intermediate and outer tubular members are fixed at their proximal ends but not at their distal ends, allowing torque to be transmitted to the distal end of the intermediate member for rotational control of the vascular device, along with alignment features and a prebend for insertion and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional delivery device is used to deliver a vascular device, then the device can be delivered to the target site, but the orientation of the vascular device cannot be easily or accurately adjusted within the body lumen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of orientation adjustmentVSAvoidaccuracy of device placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device employs a dynamic torque transmission mechanism where the intermediate tubular member can rotate relative to the outer tubular member, allowing the operator to adjust the orientation of the vascular device by applying torque at the proximal end. This dynamic adjustment capability enables easy orientation changes while maintaining accurate placement through controlled rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate tubular member serves as a mediator between the outer tubular member and the vascular device. It transmits torque from the proximal end to the distal end while allowing rotational adjustment, and also acts as a guide for the vascular device during delivery. This intermediary structure enables both easy orientation adjustment and accurate placement by decoupling the rotation control from the delivery path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the intermediate and outer tubular members are fixed at their distal ends, then structural stability is maintained, but torque cannot be transmitted to rotate the vascular device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidability to rotate vascular device

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device is segmented into distinct functional zones: the proximal ends of the outer and intermediate tubular members are fixed together to provide structural stability, while the distal ends are deliberately left unfixed to allow relative rotation. This segmentation enables the device to maintain overall structural integrity while permitting localized rotational adjustment at the distal end for orientation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the tubular members have different fixation properties: the proximal ends are fixed to maintain structural stability and provide a stable base for torque application, while the distal ends are unfixed to allow rotational movement for orientation adjustment. This local differentiation of fixation quality enables simultaneous structural stability and rotational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a simple single-tubular delivery device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control orientation and transmit torque is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidorientation control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device uses a nested tubular structure where the intermediate tubular member is disposed within the outer tubular member, and the vascular device is disposed within the intermediate tubular member. This nesting arrangement provides multiple levels of control: the outer tubular member guides the delivery path, the intermediate tubular member enables rotational adjustment, and the innermost vascular device is positioned with precision. The nested structure achieves complex orientation control functionality while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2688630B1Device for delivering a vascular device

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 AGA MEDICAL CORP

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Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

A device and method for delivering a vascular device to a target site is provided that allows an orientation of the vascular device at the target site to be adjusted by a user. In general, the delivery device includes an outer tubular member, an intermediate tubular member within the outer tubular member, and an inner member that can move axially within the intermediate tubular member. Each of the members defines a proximal end and a distal end. The intermediate and outer tubular members are fixed at their respective proximal ends, but are not fixed at their proximal ends. Thus, a torque applied to the proximal end of the intermediate tubular member is at least partially transmitted to the distal end of the intermediate tubular member, allowing the user to rotate an attached vascular device by rotating the proximal end of the intermediate tubular member.