Warp-Knit Stent Constraint for Staged Deployment Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delivery systems for stents and stent-grafts face challenges in precisely deploying these devices at target locations with minimal trauma and technical difficulties, particularly in navigating tortuous vasculature, while allowing for controlled expansion and accurate positioning.

Innovation Solution

A constraining mechanism using interwoven fibers forming a warp knit pattern with removable constraints allows for staged deployment of medical devices, enabling controlled expansion from a constrained to fully deployed configuration through sequential release of the constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a stent or stent-graft is compressed to a small delivery diameter for navigation through tortuous vasculature, then the device can be delivered to the target location, but the device cannot be deployed or expanded at the target location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery diameterVSAvoiddeployment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The constraint system is segmented into multiple independent constraining fibers that can be selectively released. Each fiber acts as an independent segment that can be removed or cut individually, allowing staged deployment of the device from the delivery catheter while maintaining structural integrity during navigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The constraint system transitions from a static constrained state during delivery to a dynamic deployable state at the target location. The constraining fibers are designed to be removable or cuttable, enabling the device to dynamically change from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the stent or stent-graft is deployed immediately upon reaching the target location, then the device provides radial support, but precise positioning and controlled expansion are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial supportVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-positioned within the delivery catheter at the target location while still constrained, allowing precise navigation and positioning before deployment. The constraining fibers maintain the device in a stable, positionable state during the critical positioning phase, enabling accurate placement before the fibers are removed to initiate expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The constraint system is divided into multiple separable fibers that can be selectively released in a controlled sequence. This segmentation allows the practitioner to maintain precise control over the device position while preparing for deployment, and to initiate expansion in a controlled manner by removing constraints incrementally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the stent or stent-graft is deployed in a single step, then the device reaches full expansion quickly, but intermediate diameter adjustments and visualization are not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidintermediate configuration control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The constraint system consists of multiple independently removable fibers that enable staged deployment. The practitioner can remove one or more fibers at a time, allowing the device to expand to intermediate diameters in controlled steps rather than a single abrupt expansion. This enables visualization and adjustment at intermediate stages if needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deployment process is made dynamic and adjustable through the selective removal of constraining fibers. The system transitions from a fully constrained state through potential intermediate states with partial fiber removal to the fully deployed state, allowing flexible control over the expansion timeline and diameter progression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If multiple constraining fibers are used to maintain the device in a constrained configuration, then the device remains stable during delivery, but the constraint system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstrained configuration stabilityVSAvoidconstraint system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The constraint system uses multiple identical or similar constraining fibers rather than a complex heterogeneous structure. Each fiber is a simple, uniform element that can be easily manufactured and attached, reducing overall system complexity while providing stable, redundant constraint through the collective action of multiple identical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS20260000526A1Constraining mechanisms for selective deployment and associated methods

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward medical device deployment apparatuses, systems and methods. The apparatuses, systems and methods may include at least one constraining fiber arranged about a circumference of the medical device and a warp knit configured to separate to deploy the medical device to at least one intermediate constrained configuration and to a fully deployed configuration.