Axial Clot Capture Assembly for Large-Vessel Thrombus Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing blood clots from blood vessels, such as thrombolytic agents and mechanical debulking/aspiration devices, are inefficient, risky, or ineffective, particularly in large vessels with limited distal space, leading to hemodynamic instability and potential complications.
Innovation Solution
A clot capture system using a shape memory material with a capture assembly that expands and lengthens axially to isolate and remove blood clots, combined with a suction element and a guide catheter, allowing for direct mechanical treatment via endovascular techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thrombolytic agents are used to dissolve blood clots, then the blood clots can be dissolved, but the procedure requires long time duration and increases the risk of bleeding complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical thrombolytic agents with a mechanical aspiration device that uses a catheter to physically suction out blood clots. This mechanical approach eliminates the need for prolonged chemical infusion and associated bleeding risks, achieving clot removal through direct mechanical action rather than chemical dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes blood clots directly from the blood vessel using a catheter-based aspiration system. The clots are suctioned out through a guidewire and catheter assembly, eliminating the clots from the circulatory system rather than allowing them to dissolve slowly in place.
2Productivity
If mechanical debulking and aspiration devices are used to remove blood clots, then the obstruction can be removed directly, but the devices are unable to remove large amounts of blood clots in short time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic catheter system where the catheter can be advanced, retracted, and repositioned multiple times during the procedure. The guidewire can be manipulated to create different suction patterns, allowing the device to adapt to varying clot sizes and locations, thereby increasing the removal rate of large clot burdens efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The aspiration process is divided into multiple cycles of catheter advancement, suction application, and retraction. This segmented approach allows the device to systematically work through large clot burdens in manageable portions, maintaining high productivity while controlling procedure time through structured, repetitive cycles.
3Ease of operation
If small catheters are used to remove blood clots from blood vessels, then the catheters can be inserted into blood vessels, but the suction capability is limited and the procedure becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a nested catheter system where a smaller catheter is advanced through a larger guiding catheter. The guidewire is first positioned, then the catheter is advanced over the wire and inflated to its operational size. This nested approach allows the catheter to be inserted through smaller vessel openings while achieving sufficient suction capability once deployed, resolving the contradiction between insertability and suction efficiency.
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 effectively removes large blood clots quickly and safely, restoring blood flow without significant complications, and is adaptable to various clinical situations with limited distal space.
Implementation Method 1
A clot capture system using a shape memory material with a capture assembly that expands and lengthens axially to isolate and remove blood clots
Implementation Method 2
combined with a suction element and a guide catheter, allowing for direct mechanical treatment via endovascular techniques
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods can remove material of interest, including blood clots, from a body region, including but not limited to the circulatory system for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cerebrovascular embolism, and other vascular occlusions.