Vein Filter with Flared Mounting and Converging Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vein filters are invasive, pose risks due to major surgery, and have limitations in anchoring, deployment, and clot migration directionality, with a need for a device that is securely anchored, minimally invasive, and can be easily inserted and removed.
Innovation Solution
A vascular filter with a collapsible design, featuring a bell-shaped filtering region and flared mounting region, made from shape memory material, that expands to securely anchor within the vessel while minimizing contact with the vessel wall, and includes hooks for enhanced retention and a retrieval mechanism for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical barrier filter is placed in the inferior vena cava to block blood clots, then pulmonary embolism prevention is improved, but the procedure becomes minimally invasive with risks of vessel damage and thrombosis
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs different strut configurations in different regions: the mounting portion has struts angled to engage the vessel wall with minimal contact area, while the filtering portion has struts oriented to capture clots. This local differentiation allows secure anchoring without causing widespread vessel damage or thrombosis.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having struts point directly at the vessel wall for anchoring (which causes damage), the struts are angled to engage the wall indirectly, with the mounting portion flared to distribute contact over a larger area. This inverted approach reduces localized trauma while maintaining secure placement.
2Reliability
If the filter is designed with a large expanded size for effective clot capture, then filtering capability is improved, but the device becomes difficult to maneuver and advance intravascularly
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed to be dynamic, transitioning from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded operational configuration. The struts are arranged to collapse into a compact profile for easy intravascular delivery, then expand to their full filtering diameter upon deployment in the inferior vena cava, enabling both easy maneuverability and effective clot capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure allows the struts to be nested or collapsed into a compact configuration for delivery, similar to nested dolls. The mounting portion and filtering portion are arranged to nest within each other when compressed, enabling passage through the vascular system, then expand to their full functional size at the target location.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the filter contacts the vessel wall to secure anchoring, then filter retention is improved, but vessel distortion and trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion features struts with specific angular orientations and a flared configuration that distributes contact forces over a larger vessel wall area. This local quality differentiation allows secure retention while minimizing concentrated trauma and distortion at any single contact point.
Solution Approach 2:
The flared mounting portion acts as a cushioning structure that distributes the anchoring forces across a broader area of the vessel wall before contact occurs. This pre-distributed contact pattern prevents focal trauma and vessel distortion while maintaining secure filter retention through the angled strut engagement.
4Strength
If the filter uses traditional wire coils or twisted wires for anchoring, then vessel engagement is achieved, but the design becomes complex and may damage the vessel wall
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into distinct functional portions: a mounting portion with struts for anchoring and a filtering portion with struts for clot capture. Each portion has independently optimized strut orientations and configurations, simplifying the overall design while maintaining effective vessel engagement and filtering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different strut configurations are used in different portions: the mounting portion has struts angled for vessel wall engagement, while the filtering portion has struts oriented perpendicular to capture clots. This local differentiation simplifies each segment's design while achieving the required vessel engagement strength.
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 filter effectively captures blood clots, reduces vessel distortion, and allows for minimally invasive insertion and removal, improving patient safety and reducing recovery time by providing secure anchoring and efficient clot dissolution.
Implementation Method 1
A vascular filter with a collapsible design, featuring a bell-shaped filtering region and flared mounting region, made from shape memory material, that expands to securely anchor within the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel filter having a first region having a first set of struts forming a mounting portion and a filter portion having a converging region at a first portion to direct particles toward the center of the filter. The mounting portion is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second portion opposite the first portion. A second set of struts forms a second mounting portion flared in the expanded position. A plurality of spaced apart struts extend between the first and second regions.