Vena Cava Filter Stop Member Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vena cava filters cause increased trauma to the vena cava wall due to improper anchoring and lack of visualization during placement, leading to potential further penetration and complications.
Innovation Solution
A removable vena cava filter design featuring self-expanding struts with anchoring hooks and stop members made of radiopaque material to prevent excessive penetration and enhance visualization, reducing trauma and improving placement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If anchoring hooks are used to secure the filter to the vena cava wall, then the filter stability is improved, but the trauma to the vena cava wall increases due to potential improper placement and excessive penetration
Solution Approach 1:
A radiopaque stop member is introduced as an intermediary component between the anchoring hook and the vena cava wall. This stop member serves as a physical barrier that prevents excessive penetration of the anchoring hook into the vessel wall, while also providing radiopaque visualization to guide proper placement. The stop member mediates the interaction between the anchoring mechanism and the vessel wall, ensuring stable filter anchoring without excessive trauma.
2Reliability
If anchoring hooks are used to secure the filter, then the filter anchoring effectiveness is improved, but the visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member is made radiopaque, causing it to appear distinct on fluoroscopic imaging. This radiopacity creates a visual contrast that allows operators to easily detect and measure the position of the anchoring hook relative to the vena cava wall during the placement procedure. The radiopaque stop member essentially changes the 'color' or visibility characteristic of the anchoring structure on imaging modalities.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the filter is designed as a permanent implant, then the filtration function is maintained long-term, but the ability to remove the filter when no longer needed is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The filter design incorporates dynamic characteristics by enabling transition between a permanently implanted state and a removable state. The anchoring hooks can engage with the vena cava wall for long-term stabilization when needed, but can also be disengaged and removed when the filtration indication resolves. This dynamic design allows the filter to adapt to changing clinical needs, providing both long-term durability when required and removability when appropriate.
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 reduces trauma to the vena cava wall by preventing further penetration of anchoring hooks and aiding in precise placement, ensuring safer and more effective filtration without long-term implantation.
Implementation Method 1
The stop member is formed of radiopaque material separately from the strut and it is welded to the strut adjacent the anchoring hook such that the stop member extends distally from the anchoring hook
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
A removable vena cava filter (10) configured for reduced trauma and enhanced visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of struts (12a-d), each having an anchoring hook (26) and a stop member (24) proximate the anchoring hook. The stop members are configured to engage the vessel wall to prevent excessive penetration of the anchoring hooks into the vessel wall and to aid in the identification of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall.