Aspiration Catheter Positioning With Tapered Embolus Localization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current stroke intervention procedures face challenges in quickly and accurately locating and removing cerebral occlusions, often requiring multiple attempts and increasing procedural risk due to the time-consuming process of accessing and removing occlusions, which also leads to increased radiation exposure and contrast media use.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with a catheter advancement element featuring a tapered distal end region, designed to atraumatically locate the true proximal face of an embolus by probing past the angiographic limit of contrast, allowing for optimal positioning of the aspiration catheter and enabling a one-pass embolectomy by creating a piston effect for efficient removal of occlusive material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional catheter systems are used to access cerebral occlusions, then the catheter can be advanced to the target site, but multiple attempts are required to locate and remove the embolus, increasing procedure time and radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter advancement element with tapered distal end is advanced to the target site before the aspiration catheter, performing preliminary localization of the embolus by probing past the angiographic limit of contrast. This preliminary action enables the aspiration catheter to be positioned accurately on the first attempt, eliminating the need for multiple attempts and reducing procedure time.
2Measurement precision
If conventional catheter systems are used, then the catheter can access the occlusion site, but accurate localization of the embolus requires multiple attempts and increases radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter advancement element serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the embolus. Its tapered distal end can be advanced past the angiographic limit of contrast to directly contact and localize the embolus, providing accurate positioning information to the operator without requiring repeated fluoroscopic imaging attempts, thereby reducing radiation exposure.
3Loss of information
If the catheter is advanced directly to the embolus without a guiding element, then the procedure may be faster, but the catheter cannot accurately locate the embolus past the angiographic limit of contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two functional components: the catheter advancement element with tapered distal end for localization, and the aspiration catheter for embolus removal. The advancement element can be advanced independently to the target site and used to locate the embolus past the contrast limit, providing tactile and positional feedback that guides subsequent aspiration catheter placement.
4Reliability
If multiple catheter attempts are made to remove the embolus, then the embolus can eventually be removed, but the procedural complexity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter advancement element and aspiration catheter are combined into a single integrated system. The advancement element remains in place during aspiration, providing continuous guidance and stabilization. This merging eliminates the need for device exchanges between localization and removal phases, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining high success rates for embolus removal.
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 system reduces procedure time, minimizes radiation exposure, and lowers the need for contrast injections by ensuring precise, single-pass aspiration of emboli, enhancing safety and efficacy in stroke interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The catheter advancement element substantially fills the catheter lumen along a length to create a piston arrangement. Withdrawing the catheter advancement element through the catheter lumen creates an aspiration pressure that draws occlusive material into the catheter.
Implementation Method 2
The catheter advancement element has a tapered distal end region configured to be delivered to a location past the angiographic limit of contrast without crossing the embolus. The taper allows atraumatic probing and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for removing an embolus in a cerebral vessel of a patient. The assembled system of devices includes a catheter having a catheter lumen and a distal end and a catheter advancement element extending through the catheter lumen. A tapered distal end region of the catheter advancement element extends distal to the distal end of the catheter. The assembled system of devices is advanced together towards an occlusion site in a cerebral vessel of a patient visible on angiogram. The occlusion site includes an angiographic limit of contrast and an embolus downstream of the angiographic limit of contrast. The catheter advancement element is advanced to a location past the angiographic limit of contrast without crossing the embolus. The catheter is advanced to position the distal end of the catheter at a treatment site located past the angiographic limit of contrast and aspiration applied.