Anodic-Cathodic Mesh for Endovascular Thrombus Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blood vessels can become occluded by thrombi, disrupting blood flow and leading to tissue damage due to oxygen and nutrient deprivation, with existing thrombus retrieval methods being inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an elongate manipulation member and an intervention member featuring a mesh composed of anodic and cathodic metals that generate a galvanic charge to enhance thrombus adhesion and retrieval, utilizing a galvanic couple to improve thrombus capture and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mechanical thrombus retrieval methods are used, then the device structure is simple, but the thrombus capture efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is constructed from composite materials comprising both anodic metal (such as magnesium or zinc) and cathodic metal (such as stainless steel or nitinol), creating a galvanic couple that generates electrical charge to enhance thrombus adhesion. This composite approach increases productivity through improved capture efficiency while the materials are integrated into a single mesh structure, limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces purely mechanical attachment mechanisms with an electrochemical system. The galvanic reaction between dissimilar metals generates electrical charge that actively promotes thrombus adhesion, supplementing or replacing traditional mechanical gripping forces. This substitution enhances thrombus capture efficiency by adding an electrical component to the attachment mechanism.
2Reliability
If the mesh is made entirely of one metal type, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the thrombus adhesion capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh utilizes composite materials with distinct anodic and cathodic metal components that work together through galvanic interaction. The anodic metal (magnesium or zinc) and cathodic metal (stainless steel or nitinol) create a galvanic couple that generates electrical charge to enhance thrombus adhesion. This composite approach improves reliability through superior adhesion capability while maintaining manufacturability through standard metal forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh exhibits local quality differentiation where specific regions are designed to facilitate galvanic interaction. The anodic and cathodic metals are strategically positioned and dimensioned to optimize the galvanic response. This local optimization enhances thrombus adhesion capability at the interaction surfaces while the overall manufacturing process remains streamlined through controlled material distribution.
3Power
If the anodic metal surface area is increased, then the galvanic charge generation is enhanced, but the device friction with catheter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh design applies local quality differentiation by concentrating the anodic metal in specific regions rather than uniformly distributing it. The anodic metal is strategically positioned to maximize galvanic charge generation at the thrombus interaction zones while minimizing surface area contact with the catheter. This localized approach enhances power (galvanic charge generation) while reducing friction force during catheter navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh structure segments the metal composition into distinct anodic and cathodic regions. This segmentation allows the anodic metal to be concentrated where galvanic charge generation is most beneficial (at the thrombus interface) while limiting its presence in areas where it would increase friction with the catheter. The segmented design optimizes the trade-off between charge generation power and friction reduction.
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 attaches to thrombi through a galvanic reaction, enhancing the likelihood of successful thrombus capture and retrieval, thereby restoring blood flow and preventing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
a galvanically induced electrical charge can assist attachment of preexisting thrombotic material to a mechanical thrombus-retrieval device... The electrical charge generated by a galvanic couple can cause or increase adhesion between one or more of the metals in the galvanic couple and the thrombotic material
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device configured to perform an endovascular therapy can include an elongate manipulation member and an intervention member. The elongate manipulation member can include a distal end portion. The intervention member can include a proximal end portion and a mesh. The proximal end portion can be coupled with the distal end portion of the elongate manipulation member. The mesh can have a plurality of cells in a tubular configuration and being compressible to a collapsed configuration for delivery to an endovascular treatment site through a catheter and being self-expandable from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The mesh can include an anodic metal and a cathodic metal. The anodic metal and the cathodic metal can each form a fraction of a total surface area of the mesh.