Bendable Gripping Tool for Clot Removal in Tortuous Vessels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices for treating blood clots and thromboembolisms are often ineffective, difficult to maneuver, and can cause complications such as distal embolization, vessel damage, and prolonged treatment times, especially in small or tortuous blood vessels, leading to high rates of death and disability from ischemic strokes.

Innovation Solution

A selectively bendable remote access gripping tool with a pair of nets or jaws that can be moved between clamped and open positions, connected to a handle via a corrugated central portion, allowing for flexible navigation and secure capture of blood clots without the need for suction or energy application, and equipped with cutting implements to reduce clot size for easier removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If prior art devices use linear construction with grasping jaws, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot navigate tortuous blood vessels effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to navigate tortuous vesselsVSAvoiddevice construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple segments including a linear portion and a flexible portion with articulation points. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural simplicity while gaining the ability to navigate tortuous vessels through controlled bending at the articulation points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates a flexible portion that can dynamically change its configuration between linear and bent states. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different vessel geometries without requiring completely different device designs for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If prior art devices use flexible portions with rails and jointed connections, then the device can achieve angular adjustments, but the construction becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular adjustment capabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a flexible portion constructed from materials that can bend and articulate without requiring complex internal rails or jointed connections. This flexible construction achieves the necessary angular adjustments while significantly reducing the overall device complexity compared to rigid articulated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If current technology uses devices designed to pierce through thrombus, then the device can engage the clot, but it can damage vessel walls distal of the thrombus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus capture effectivenessVSAvoidvessel wall damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces the mechanical piercing action with a suction-based removal mechanism. The suction catheter draws the thrombus into the catheter lumen and removes it intact, eliminating the need for forceful mechanical engagement that could damage vessel walls while maintaining effective thrombus removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If current devices are designed to deploy completely distal of the thrombus before engaging, then the device can avoid initial vessel contact, but it can be difficult to maneuver and may dislodge clot portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot capture stabilityVSAvoiddevice maneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a guidewire as an intermediary to navigate to the thrombus location first, followed by careful advancement of the suction catheter along the guidewire. This intermediary approach provides stable control during the engagement process, preventing clot dislodgment while maintaining maneuverability through the use of the guidewire as a track.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Reliability

If thrombolytic drugs are used to dissolve clots, then the treatment can be effective, but it takes hours to reestablish blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow restoration effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary mechanical removal of the thrombus through suction before allowing natural fibrinolysis to complete the process. This preliminary action dramatically reduces the time required for blood flow restoration by removing the bulk of the obstruction immediately, rather than waiting hours for chemical dissolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11896252B2Medical device to remove an obstruction from a body lumen, vessel or organ

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 KOVARIK CARTER J

AI summary

A hand-held gripping device that allows a surgeon to reach interior portions of a person's anatomy, includes a gripping portion having a pair of jaws and/or nets movable relative to each other between fully clamped and fully opened positions thereof, a handle portion spaced apart from the jaw portion by a bendable central portion that is hollow and corrugated, with a cord extending therethrough.