Aortic Arch Embolic Filter for Cerebral Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endovascular filter devices are inadequate for protecting cerebral vasculature during cardiac and vascular procedures, as they often fail to effectively capture and remove emboli, posing a high risk of stroke due to difficulties in placement and retrieval, and the risk of blockage before filter removal.

Innovation Solution

An embolic filter device is deployed in the aortic arch, with filter portions extending into the innominate and carotid arteries to capture emboli, allowing for safe blood flow while trapping debris, and can be easily placed and retrieved via minimal-risk access points, such as the right radial or femoral artery, with a self-expanding frame and porous filter material to ensure effective filtration and emboli removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filters are placed in carotid arteries to protect cerebral vasculature, then emboli capture capability is improved, but stroke risk increases due to manipulation of carotid vessels during filter placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemboli capture capabilityVSAvoidstroke risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary access route through the aortic arch to reach the carotid arteries, avoiding direct carotid puncture. The filter device is delivered via a catheter through the aortic arch and deployed at the carotid ostia, serving as a mediator that achieves emboli protection without direct carotid manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter device is deployed in advance before any aortic or carotid manipulation occurs during the procedure. By pre-positioning the filter at the carotid ostia, the system prevents emboli from entering the cerebral circulation during subsequent aortic arch or carotid procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If filters are deployed to capture emboli, then cerebral protection is improved, but device complexity increases due to difficulty in placement and retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecerebral protectionVSAvoidplacement and retrieval difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is segmented into multiple components: a delivery catheter, a self-expanding frame with filter portions, and retrieval mechanisms. This segmentation allows the device to be delivered through a simple catheter while the filter portions self-expand at the target site, simplifying both placement and retrieval

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter frame is designed to self-expand upon deployment, eliminating the need for complex mechanical expansion mechanisms during placement. The self-expanding nitinol frame automatically assumes its functional configuration when released from the delivery catheter, reducing procedural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If filters are used to protect carotid vessels, then emboli deflection is improved, but blockage risk increases before filter removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemboli deflectionVSAvoidblockage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter portions are constructed from porous materials with controlled pore sizes that allow blood cells and plasma to pass through while capturing larger embolic debris. This porosity maintains adequate blood flow through the filter, preventing blockage while effectively deflecting emboli

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The filter device has different structural properties in different regions: the frame provides structural support and self-expansion, while the filter portions provide emboli capture with controlled porosity. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both emboli deflection and blood flow characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 and removes emboli, reducing the risk of stroke by ensuring cerebral vasculature protection during procedures, with a simpler and safer deployment and retrieval process compared to existing methods, minimizing the risk of blockage and emboli deflection into other blood vessels.

Implementation Method 1

with a self-expanding frame and porous filter material to ensure effective filtration and emboli removal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-expanding: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 2

filter portions extending into the innominate and carotid arteries to capture emboli, allowing for safe blood flow while trapping debris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10130458B2Dual endovascular filter and methods of use

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Blood filter devices and methods of use.