Aspiration Device with Rotating Paddles for Thromboembolic Debris Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

During interventional procedures like angioplasty and stent placement, there is a risk of dislodging blood clots and plaque fragments, which can lead to severe complications by flowing into smaller vessels or the heart and lung, as existing devices fail to effectively trap and remove thromboembolic debris without causing trauma to blood cells.

Innovation Solution

A device that collects blood from one sheath or catheter through aspiration, filters out thromboembolic debris, and recirculates the blood back into the bloodstream using a chamber with rotating paddles and a closed-loop system, minimizing trauma to blood cells and preventing blood loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed rotating mechanisms are used to filter blood, then filtering efficiency is improved, but trauma to blood cells increases leading to hemolysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidhemolysis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces high-speed mechanical rotation with a low-speed rotating paddle system that uses gentle mechanical agitation combined with a filter medium. The filter medium captures thromboembolic debris while the low-speed rotation minimizes mechanical trauma to red blood cells, thereby reducing hemolysis while maintaining effective filtration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the filtration system by reducing rotational speed from high-speed to low-speed operation. This parameter change fundamentally alters the mechanical stress applied to blood cells, reducing shear forces and preventing hemolysis while still achieving effective debris removal through the filter medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If open-loop blood filtration is used, then debris removal is achieved, but blood loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removalVSAvoidblood loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a closed-loop system where filtered blood is recirculated back to the patient. The system discards only the trapped thromboembolic debris in the filter while recovering and returning the cleaned blood to circulation, thereby eliminating blood loss while maintaining effective debris removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The closed-loop design enables continuous filtration and recirculation of blood without interruption or loss. The system maintains continuous operation by constantly filtering and returning blood, ensuring uninterrupted protection against emboli while preventing blood loss through the closed circulation path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If simple filtration devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to trap particles effectively is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidparticle trapping effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the filtration function into distinct components: a rotationally driven paddle system for agitation and a separate filter medium for particle capture. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the simple rotational mechanism provides gentle mixing while the filter medium ensures effective particle trapping, achieving reliable filtration without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively traps and removes thromboembolic material, reducing the risk of complications by minimizing hemolysis and ensuring minimal blood loss, particularly beneficial in procedures like carotid artery angioplasty and stent placement.

Implementation Method 1

low speed rotating paddles or wheels which minimize trauma to individual blood cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical separation:

Implementation Method 2

a chamber that collects the blood from one sheath or catheter through an aspirating force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAspiration: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS7713227B2Method and apparatus for medical device for aspiration of thromboembolic debris

Publication Date: 2010.05.11 WHOLEY MICHAEL

AI summary

An apparatus for collecting blood clots, plaque, and other debris in arteries or veins, said apparatus comprising: a filter assembly having a chamber with a paddle assembly and a porous floor disposed therein; and tubes for coupling said filter assembly to an artery and to a vein.