Posts with compliant junctions
Inventors
Dagan, Amir • Katz, Yoav • Lipperman, Fabian • Feld, Tanhum • Peleg, Nadav • Ariav, Gal
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10779965-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are described, including a stent configured to be placed in a lumen. The stent includes a generally cylindrical stent body comprising a plurality of struts, and a plurality of antenna posts protruding longitudinally from an end of the stent body. Each of the antenna posts includes a proximal and distal portions, each of which is configured to be generally straight in the absence of any force being applied to the antenna post, and a compliant junction disposed between the proximal and distal portions, the proximal and distal portions being configured to flex with respect to one another about the compliant junction. An antenna is disposed annularly on the distal portions of the antenna posts, such that the antenna posts separate the antenna from the end of the stent body. Other applications are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a wireless endovascular stent-based electrode apparatus configured for placement in a tubular structure that defines a lumen. The apparatus includes a stent with a generally cylindrical stent body having a plurality of struts, and a plurality of antenna posts protruding longitudinally from an end of the stent body.
Each antenna post includes a proximal portion and a distal portion that are generally straight in the absence of force, with a compliant junction disposed between the proximal portion and distal portion and shaped to define a sinusoidal wave. An antenna is coupled to a nitinol wire and is disposed annularly on the distal portions of the antenna posts, and the antenna posts separate the antenna from the end of the stent body.
In an embodiment related to the curved thoracic aorta, the distal portion of the stent includes greater radial force to anchor and maintain electrode contact. The antenna posts and compliant junction support flexing that enables circumferential conformance within a curved portion of the aorta, and the annular antenna is separated from the distal stent end to improve inductive power efficiency.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00010, and clm-00015. Across these claims, the main inventive features include compliant junctions defining sinusoidal-wave geometry, annular antenna placement on distal portions of the antenna posts, and placement in a tubular lumen including a subject's blood-vessel lumen.
Sinusoidal compliant junction between straight portions of antenna posts
Each antenna post comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion configured to be generally straight in the absence of force, and a compliant junction disposed between the proximal portion and distal portion, the proximal and distal portions being configured to flex with respect to one another about the compliant junction and the compliant junction being shaped to define a sinusoidal wave.
Annular antenna coupled to nitinol wire on distal portions separated from stent end
The apparatus includes a nitinol wire and an antenna coupled to the nitinol wire and disposed annularly on the distal portions of the antenna posts, such that the antenna posts separate the antenna from the end of the stent body, with each antenna post connected only to the stent body, the antenna, and the nitinol wire.
Cylindrical stent body with struts and longitudinal antenna posts
The stent includes a generally cylindrical stent body comprising a plurality of struts, and a plurality of antenna posts protruding longitudinally from an end of the stent body and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the stent body.
Placement inside subject blood-vessel lumen
The lumen of the tubular structure includes a lumen of a blood vessel of a subject, and the stent is configured to be placed inside the lumen of the subject's blood vessel, including a lumen of a curved portion of a subject's aorta in dependent refinements.
Across the independent claims, the claims focus on antenna posts on a generally cylindrical strut-based stent, where proximal and distal straight portions are connected by a compliant junction shaped to define sinusoidal-wave geometry, and where an annular antenna is disposed on distal portions and separated from the stent end.
Stated Advantages
Improve inductive power efficiency by separating the annular antenna from the distal stent end.
Maintain electrode contact by anchoring using a distal section exerting greater radial force.
Enable conformance within a curved portion of the aorta through compliant-junction flexing.
Documented Applications
Wireless endovascular stent-based electrode apparatus configured for placement in a subject's blood vessel, including the curved thoracic aorta and aortic arch.
Treat conditions including heart failure and hypertension by driving current into the blood vessel using RF power via inductive coupling.
Electrical stimulation associated with vagus nerve stimulation, including sleep apnea/GERD/epileptic seizure-related vagus stimulation.
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