Wave Form Stent Die Forming for Helical Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and small size of wound stent designs make their formation difficult, requiring precise geometries and support structures, especially in forming helical patterns that provide adequate vessel support.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a wave form with straight and curved portions, formed using dies to shape a formable material into a helix by wrapping it around a mandrel, with selected curved portions connected between turns, using shearing forces to create a stent with a helical coil structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wound stent designs with complex geometries are used to provide precise vessel support, then the stent can better support the vessel wall, but the formation process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wave form pattern is pre-formed into the source material through a forming process before winding. This preliminary action creates the geometric features needed for vessel support in advance, so that when the material is wound into a helix, the complex geometry is already established, making the final stent formation easier while maintaining reliable vessel support
Solution Approach 2:
The forming process separates the creation of the wave form pattern from the winding process. The forming dies create discrete wave form segments in the source material, which are then wound into the final helical stent structure. This segmentation allows each process to be optimized independently
2Length of moving object
If small size wound stent designs are used for precise deployment, then the stent can be delivered via catheter, but the formation process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wave form pattern is pre-formed into the source material before winding, creating the complete geometric structure in advance. This allows small, complex stent geometries to be formed efficiently through a standardized die-forming process followed by winding, rather than attempting to form the complete small structure in a single difficult step
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
This method allows for the precise formation of stents with complex geometries, enabling effective vessel support by creating a helical structure that can be easily deployed and expanded, addressing the challenges of forming small and intricate stent designs.
Implementation Method 1
pressing the formable material with the protruding surface of the first die into contact with the recessed surface of the second die
Implementation Method 2
shearing the wave form from the formable material with shearing forces created by the pressing
Data Source
AI summary
A method for forming a wave form for a stent. The wave form includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of curved portions. Each curved portion connects adjacent substantially straight portions. The method includes feeding a formable material between a first die and a second die, the first die having a protruding surface in the shape of the wave form, and the second die having a recessed surface in the shape of the wave form complementing the protruding surface of the first die, pressing the formable material with the protruding surface of the first die into contact with the recessed surface of the second die, and shearing the wave form from the formable material with shearing forces created by the pressing.