Methods and systems for making a blood vessel sleeve

• US 7,818,084 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Dacey, Ralph G. Jr., Derdeyn, Colin P., Zipfel, Gregory J., Wood, Victoria Y. H., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Boyden, Edward S., Hyde, Roderick A., Leuthardt, Eric C., Dowling, Joshua L.
• Primary Examiner(s): VON BUHR, MARIA N
• Application Number:
  US11/894,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 700 28- 30, 700 94- 98, 700117-119, 700/123, 700/166, 700/174, 700/175, 700180-182, 700213-215, 700/225, 600/36, 623/1.1, 623 111- 123, 623/1.34, 623/1.36, 623 149- 154, 623/23.64, 623/23.7, 623/901, 623/903, 623/916, 623/921, 434/262, 434/267, 434/272
• US Class Current: 700/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/06 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30942 for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, CT or NMR scans, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/061 provided with means for allowing access to secondary lumens
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/067 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30065 thermoplastic, i.e. softening or fusing when heated, and hardening and becoming rigid again when cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30077 shrinkable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30087 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30088 Phase change materials [PCM], e.g. for storing latent heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3009 Transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30199 Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3071 Identification means; Administration of patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 swellable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0066 shrinkable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0071 thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/008 Phase change materials [PCM], e.g. for storing latent heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 : Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0063 : Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2240/002 : Designing or making customized prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 : for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0085 : Identification means; Administration of patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0091 : transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 : Visible markings, e.g. indicia
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 : Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 : Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 : Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, computer program products, devices and systems are described that include accepting one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions based on blood vessel data from an individual; and making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

accepting blood vessel data from an individual;

applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions; and

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting geometric blood vessel data from an individual.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting blood vessel imaging data from an individual.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting at least one of magnetic resonance imaging data, computed tomography data, positron emission tomography data, ultrasound imaging data, optical imaging data, or angiography data as the blood vessel data from an individual.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting at least one of magnetic resonance angiography data, computed tomography angiography data, Doppler ultrasound data, or cerebral angiography data as the blood vessel data from an individual.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting blood vessel data in a digital imaging and communications in medicine format as the blood vessel data from an individual.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting blood vessel modeling data as the blood vessel data from an individual.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting aorta data as the blood vessel data from an individual.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting cerebral artery data as the blood vessel data from an individual.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting aneurysm or branched blood vessel data as the blood vessel data from an individual.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting a three-dimensional blood vessel model as the blood vessel data from an individual.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

accepting computer-generated anatomical blood vessel data from an individual.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

applying a sleeve-fitting algorithm to at least one of blood vessel diameter and length data, blood vessel branching data, or blood vessel curvature data to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

applying a garment-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

applying a scale factor to the blood vessel data to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

assigning a set of position coordinates to the blood vessel data and assigning counterpart position coordinates to a blood vessel sleeve model to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

applying at least one best fit criterion to the blood vessel data to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a coated rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve including at least one of extensions positioned for closure, suturing tabs, detents, hooks, Velcro, glue, or interlocking closure ridges.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve including geckel adhesive.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a set of rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeves at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the making a set of rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeves at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a set of rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeves that each has at least one of different dimensions, a different material composition, different closure means, or a different coating as the set of rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeves at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one of a GoreTex, Teflon, or titanium alloy surface.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one of a substantially polymer composition, a substantially plastic composition, a substantially thermoplastic composition, a substantially photopolymer composition, or a substantially elastomeric composition.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one indicator on the blood vessel sleeve.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one indicator on the blood vessel sleeve comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one indicator on the blood vessel sleeve corresponding to individual-characterizing data.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions, the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one indicator on the blood vessel sleeve comprises:

at least one indicator on the blood vessel sleeve relating to a color coding of the blood vessel sleeve as the at least one indicator on the blood vessel sleeve.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one contrast agent within the material of the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve having at least one indicator of deformation or wear in or on the rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve using a laser-cutting device at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

31. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve using a three-dimensional printing device at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

32. A system comprising:

means for accepting blood vessel data from an individual;

means for applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions; and

means for making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the means for accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

means for accepting blood vessel imaging data from an individual.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the means for accepting blood vessel data from an individual comprises:

means for accepting aneurysm or branched blood vessel data as the blood vessel data from an individual.

35. The system of claim 32 wherein the means for applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

means for applying a garment-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein the means for applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

means for applying a scale factor to the blood vessel data to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

37. The system of claim 32 wherein the means for applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

means for assigning a set of position coordinates to the blood vessel data from an individual and assigning counterpart position coordinates to a blood vessel sleeve model to obtain the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

38. The system of claim 32 wherein the means for making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

means for making a multiple-layered rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

39. The system of claim 32 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve using a laser-cutting device at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

40. The system of claim 32 wherein the making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions comprises:

making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve using a three-dimensional printing device at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

41. A computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory signal-bearing medium bearing

(a) one or more instructions for accepting blood vessel data from an individual;

(b) one or more instructions for applying at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions; and

(c) one or more instructions for making a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

42. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein the non-transitory signal-bearing medium includes a computer-readable medium.

43. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein the non-transitory signal-bearing medium includes a recordable medium.

44. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein the non-transitory signal-bearing medium includes a communications medium.

45. A system comprising:

a computing device; and

instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to

(a) accept blood vessel data from an individual;

(b) apply at least one sleeve-fitting algorithm to the blood vessel data to obtain one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions; and

(c) make a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the computing device comprises:

one or more of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer, a networked computer, a computing system comprised of a cluster of processors, a computing system comprised of a cluster of servers, a workstation computer, or a desktop computer.

47. The system of claim 45 wherein the computing device is operable to make a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve at least partly based on the one or more blood vessel sleeve dimensions from at least one memory.