Title:Recent Patents of Stent Grafts for Intravascular Aortic Repair
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Author(s): Yiwen Wang*Yuxin Zhang
Affiliation:
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin, P.
R. China
- College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology,
Harbin, P. R. China
Keywords:
Vascular, aortic dissection, endovascular aortic repair, endovascular aortic repair complication, stent-graft design, stent optimization.
Abstract:
Introduction: Endovascular aortic repair involves the placement of stents
through minimally invasive methods to seal rupture sites near the aortic inflow tract,
thereby preventing blood entry into the false lumen and promoting thrombosis, which reduces
the risk of aortic rupture. Endovascular stents typically consist of a metal framework
and a flexible membrane graft designed to reopen obstructed aortic segments and
maintain blood flow through the true lumen. Consequently, stents are widely used to treat
aortic expansion diseases and aortic occlusive stenosis. However, traditional stents have
limitations in terms of adaptability to complex anatomical structures, long-term durability,
biomechanical stability, and reliance on radial support force for fixation, lacking active
fixation mechanisms. These shortcomings remain the primary causes of postoperative
complications, significantly impacting the quality of life for patients with aortic dissection.
Methods: Integrating patent and academic literature, the research status of the endovascular
stent was discussed in depth, and the main factors for the optimal design of the stent
(geometry, pattern configuration, additional fixtures, and optimization methods) were analyzed
and summarized according to the complications targeted by the repair device.
Results: The composition structure, working principle, and development status of the
stent grafts under review are elaborated in detail. Stent grafts attempt to alleviate postoperative
complications through three approaches: enhancing the flexibility of the stent
framework, improving the fit between the vessel wall and the stent, and reducing vascular
injury. Blood flow guiding channels are established to alleviate the obstruction of branch
blood flow. Additional self-anchoring devices are added to adapt to the dynamic remodeling
of blood vessels.
Discussion: The effects of various factors, including geometric parameters, structural design,
and parameter optimization techniques, on the optimization of stent primary mechanical
performance are discussed. The current research status of functional improvement
methods for stents is also summarized.
Conclusion: Refining the quantitative relationship between stent structural parameters
and mechanical performance, as well as exploring the balance criteria between flexibility
and radial support force, represent promising directions for future development. These
objectives necessitate further in-depth analysis and research.
