Angioplasty Device Embolic Filter Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current angioplasty devices face challenges in effectively trapping embolic particles during procedures, particularly in tight lesions and saphenous vein grafts, due to guidewire size and flexibility issues, and inadequate placement of existing filter systems, which can leave side branches unprotected.
Innovation Solution
A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device with a collapsible embolic filter integrated into the catheter, where a shape memory material expands to cover the arterial lumen, positioned close to the angioplasty balloon to capture embolic particles, and can be easily deployed and retrieved, addressing the limitations of existing filter systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter guidewire is used to catch embolic particles, then embolic protection is provided, but the guidewire has flexibility and stability problems that make the procedure difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the angioplasty catheter and embolic filter into a single integrated device. The filter is positioned on the catheter shaft near the balloon, allowing simultaneous delivery of both the angioplasty function and embolic protection without requiring separate guidewires, thereby improving procedural ease while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary component that captures embolic particles between the balloon and downstream circulation. By positioning the filter on the catheter shaft rather than requiring a separate filter guidewire, the device mediates embolic protection while simplifying the overall procedure
2Reliability
If a filter system with considerable distance between treatment balloon and distal filter is used, then embolic particles can be trapped, but side branches immediately after the stenosis are left unprotected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the filter at a specific location on the catheter shaft that places it close to the treatment balloon and near side branches. This localized positioning ensures that embolic particles are captured at the critical site where side branches originate, providing targeted protection rather than distant filtration
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed with a three-dimensional basket structure that can expand to capture particles in multiple directions. This spatial configuration allows the filter to protect side branches by positioning itself in the immediate vicinity of vessel bifurcations, capturing emboli before they enter side branch ostia
3Reliability
If a filter guidewire larger in diameter than the normal guidewire is used, then embolic protection is achieved, but crossing tight lesions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the filter onto the catheter shaft rather than requiring a separate, larger-diameter filter guidewire. This combination allows the use of a standard guidewire for lesion crossing while the filter provides embolic protection, eliminating the need to trade off guidewire size for protection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the filter function from the guidewire and places it on the catheter shaft. This separation allows the guidewire to maintain its standard small diameter for easy lesion crossing, while the filter independently provides embolic protection without interfering with guidewire performance
4Ease of operation
If the filter is deployed only distal to the side branch, then the filter can be positioned away from the stenosis, but the side branch remains unprotected from embolic particles
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is positioned at a specific location on the catheter shaft that places it close to the treatment balloon and near side branches. This localized positioning ensures that embolic particles are captured at the critical site where side branches originate, providing targeted protection rather than distant filtration
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
The device effectively captures embolic particles close to the stenosis, minimizing the risk of downstream embolization and protecting side branches, while providing improved flexibility and stability for navigating complex vascular anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
a shape memory material expands to cover the arterial lumen
Data Source
AI summary
An angioplasty device has a filter associated with it to capture embolic particles that may be broken free during an angioplasty procedure. In one embodiment the embolic filter has a frame in which struts are connected to end rings and to each other by a plurality of interconnected oval members. In another embodiment the device includes an actuator at the proximal end of an actuator wire. By rotating a knob on the device, the physician can smoothly tension the wire by a predetermined amount to prevent the filter from opening too much or too little. Various other embodiments of filter frames are also disclosed.