Vaso-occlusive Device with Dual-Braid Radiopacity and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaso-occlusive devices face limitations in radiopacity, shape retention, and flexibility, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions, necessitating a device that balances these factors effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vaso-occlusive device comprising an inner braided member made of radiopaque materials and an outer braided member made of superelastic alloys, both with specific braid angles and configurations, to maintain shape and flexibility while minimizing relative foreshortening during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If radiopaque materials are used to improve radiopacity, then radiopacity is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure with an inner braided member made of radiopaque material (such as platinum or gold) and an outer braided member made of flexible superelastic alloy (such as NiTi). This composite construction allows the device to simultaneously achieve high radiopacity for visualization during delivery and flexibility for deployment and shape retention, resolving the contradiction between radiopacity and flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If superelastic alloys are used to improve flexibility and shape retention, then flexibility is improved, but radiopacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where the inner braided member is made of radiopaque material (such as platinum or gold) and the outer braided member is made of flexible superelastic alloy (such as NiTi). This allows the device to achieve both high radiopacity for visualization during delivery and flexibility for deployment, resolving the contradiction between radiopacity and flexibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If braid angles are adjusted to minimize foreshortening, then shape retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the inner and outer braided members should have substantially equal braid angles (e.g., both around 30-45 degrees) to minimize relative foreshortening during deployment. This parameter optimization ensures consistent shape retention while maintaining manufacturing feasibility, resolving the contradiction between shape retention and device complexity.
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 achieves improved radiopacity and flexibility, minimizing changes in characteristics and structural strain during transition from the constrained delivery to the unconstrained deployed configuration, thereby enhancing its performance in vascular occlusion.
Implementation Method 1
The inner braided member includes a first plurality of filaments made of a first material composition, where the first material composition has a greater radiopacity than the second material composition
Implementation Method 2
The outer braided member includes a second plurality of filaments made of a second material composition different from the first material composition
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
A vaso-occlusive device includes an inner braided member having an unconstrained deployed configuration and a constrained delivery configuration. The inner braided member includes a first plurality of filaments made of a first material composition, where a pair of filaments of the first plurality defines a first braid angle when the inner braided member is in the deployed configuration. The device also includes an outer braided member disposed at least partially around the inner braided member, and having an unconstrained deployed configuration and a constrained delivery configuration. The outer braided member includes a second plurality of filaments made of a second material composition different from the first material, where the first material has a greater radiopacity than the second material. A pair of filaments of the second plurality defines a second braid angle, substantially equal to the first braid angle, when the outer braided member is in the deployed configuration.