Vaso-Occlusive Implants With Friction Elements to Prevent Catheter Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vaso-occlusive devices, such as coils and stents, are difficult to position and remove, pose a risk of migration, and are less effective for treating larger aneurysms, requiring longer procedures and increased complexity due to their limited expandability and pushability.

Innovation Solution

Development of pushable and retrievable vaso-occlusive devices with a soft, expandable braid connected to a pushable coil, featuring a braided tubular member attached at one end and including friction elements to prevent binding within the catheter, allowing for precise placement and retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If small coils are used to fill aneurysms, then the device can be pushed through the catheter, but the procedure becomes longer and more complicated requiring multiple coils

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepushability through catheterVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the aneurysm filling function into two segments: a pushable coil for delivery and a non-pushable braid for effective filling. The braid is delivered attached to the coil but remains stationary during pushability, then expands to fill the aneurysm, eliminating the need for multiple sequential coil insertions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The braid is nested within the coil structure during delivery, with the coil serving as a delivery vehicle. The braid is positioned within the catheter alongside the coil, then deployed to expand and fill the aneurysm while the coil provides the pushable framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the braid is made long and expandable to treat larger aneurysms, then treatment efficacy improves, but the device becomes difficult to push and retrieve from the catheter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpandability for larger aneurysmsVSAvoidpushability and retrievability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the pushable function (coil) from the expandable function (braid). The coil maintains pushability through the catheter while the braid provides the expandability needed for larger aneurysms. The braid is delivered in a compressed state within the catheter, then expands after deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The braid transitions from a compressed, non-expandable state during delivery to an expanded, fillable state after deployment. The device dynamics change from a pushable configuration within the catheter to an expanded configuration in the aneurysm, with the braid expanding radially to fill larger aneurysm volumes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the braid is made long and expandable, then it can fill larger aneurysms effectively, but it binds within the catheter during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefill capacity for large aneurysmsVSAvoidbinding within catheter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the functions of pushability (coil) and expandability (braid), allowing the braid to be delivered in a compressed, non-binding state within the catheter. The braid is positioned within the catheter lumen in a collapsed configuration that prevents binding, then expands after deployment to fill the aneurysm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil acts as an intermediary that facilitates the delivery of the braid through the catheter. The coil provides a pushable framework that guides the braid through the catheter without the braid directly contacting and binding against the catheter walls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 devices enable precise positioning and retrieval of vaso-occlusive implants, reducing procedural complexity and enhancing treatment efficacy for larger aneurysms by maintaining pushability and expandability while minimizing the risk of migration.

Implementation Method 1

at least one friction element that is not attached to the pushable coil and is configured to contact both the pushable coil and the expandable braid when the expandable braid is in the collapsed configuration within the catheter so that the expandable braid moves with the pushable coil when the vaso-occlusive device is pushed distally out of the delivery catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12383275B2Vaso-occlusive devices including a friction element

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 STRYKER EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Vaso-occlusive apparatuses, including implants, and methods of using them to treat aneurysms. The vaso-occlusive implants described herein include one or more soft and expandable braided member coupled to a pushable member such as a coil that maybe inserted and retrieved from within an aneurism using a delivery catheter as well as a friction element between the soft braided member and the coil. The friction element allows the relatively soft and elongate implant to be pushed out of a cannula without binding up within the cannula.