Vaso-occlusive Coil Locking Pin Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vaso-occlusive device delivery systems face challenges in securely attaching the vaso-occlusive coil to the pusher assembly at the major junction, particularly with adhesive and flat adapter designs, which can be improved for enhanced connection reliability.

Innovation Solution

A vaso-occlusive device delivery assembly that includes a pusher assembly, an elongate tubular member, and a locking pin, where the tubular member is aligned with the pusher assembly's longitudinal axis, and the locking pin extends through the vaso-occlusive coil opening and tubular member wall to securely lock the tubular member to the coil, enhancing the mechanical attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If adhesive or flat adapter designs are used to attach the vaso-occlusive coil to the pusher assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the tensile strength and connection reliability of the major junction are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strength of the major junctionVSAvoidcomplexity of the attachment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin is nested within the tubular member structure, with the pin extending through the tubular member wall to engage the coil. This nested configuration provides a robust mechanical lock while maintaining a compact overall design, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity by integrating the locking mechanism into the existing tubular structure rather than adding separate external components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the tubular member providing structural support and alignment, and the locking pin providing mechanical engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve high tensile strength without excessive overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a secure mechanical attachment is implemented using a locking pin and tubular member, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to adhesive designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliability of the major junctionVSAvoidcomplexity of the attachment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin and tubular member are merged into a integrated attachment system where the pin extends through the tubular member wall to directly engage the coil. This merging of components creates a reliable mechanical connection while minimizing the number of separate parts, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism operates in a radial dimension, with the pin extending through the tubular member wall from the radial direction to engage the coil. This dimensional approach provides secure mechanical engagement without requiring complex axial or rotational mechanisms, achieving high reliability with minimal added complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3035867B1Vaso-occlusive device delivery system
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 STRYKER CORP
  • EP3035867B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3035867B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3035867B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A vaso-occlusive delivery system (10) includes a vaso-occlusive coil (300), delivery wire assembly (200), and a link (500). The vaso-occlusive coil defines a coil lumen (306) and has first and second coil windings (308) defining a coil opening (314) therebetween. The delivery wire assembly defines a delivery wire lumen (212), and includes an electrolytic detachment zone (260), a delivery wire conduit (214), and a delivery wire (252) attached to the delivery wire conduit and extending through the delivery wire lumen distal of the delivery wire conduit. The link defines a link lumen (510) and has link body (506) including a proximal end of the link body defines an link opening (512) in communication with the link lumen and a distal end of the link body includes a link detent (514) extending radially from the link body, through the coil opening, securing the link body and the delivery wire assembly to the vaso-occlusive coil.