Braided Guide Wire Structure for Thrombus Compression and Fragment Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transluminal devices for removing thrombi are often invasive, incomplete, and risk fragmenting clots, leading to incomplete blood flow restoration and potential damage due to clot fragments entering smaller vessels.
Innovation Solution
A braided structure on a guide wire with restraining fibers, which expands to compress thrombi and filter fragments, allowing partial blood flow and collection of debris for removal, designed for use in micro-catheters to restore blood flow and facilitate thrombus elimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If transluminal devices are used to remove thrombi mechanically, then the intervention becomes less invasive compared to open surgery, but the devices cannot always remove the thrombus completely and risk releasing fragments into the bloodstream
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the thrombus removal function into two distinct components: a distal filtering cage that captures thrombus fragments and a proximal suction catheter that removes the captured material. This segmentation allows the device to reliably remove thrombi completely while maintaining the less invasive transluminal approach, as each component performs its specific function effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal filtering cage is nested within or alongside the proximal suction catheter, with the cage positioned distally to capture fragments and the catheter positioned proximally to suction. This nested arrangement allows both functions to work together in a compact configuration that can be delivered through transluminal access while ensuring complete thrombus removal without fragment release.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If suction catheters are used to remove thrombi, then the procedure is less invasive, but the thrombus removal may be incomplete and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the thrombus removal process into capture and removal phases. The distal filtering cage rapidly captures thrombus fragments as blood flow passes through, while the proximal suction catheter simultaneously or subsequently removes the captured material. This segmentation enables both rapid and complete thrombus removal while maintaining the less invasive transluminal approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous thrombus removal by maintaining open suction channels throughout the procedure. The proximal suction catheter provides continuous negative pressure to remove thrombus material as it is captured by the distal cage, ensuring uninterrupted removal action that increases productivity and reduces procedure time compared to intermittent suction methods.
3Productivity
If mechanical catheters with capturing elements are used, then thrombus can be removed mechanically, but there is a risk of clot fragments being released into smaller vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the thrombus handling function into a distal filtering cage that captures fragments and a proximal suction catheter that removes captured material. This segmentation ensures that fragments are contained within the cage structure during capture and are subsequently removed as a unit through the suction catheter, eliminating the risk of fragment release into smaller vessels while maintaining effective mechanical removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal filtering cage acts as an intermediary structure between the thrombus and the bloodstream. It captures thrombus fragments that would otherwise be released into the circulation, holding them contained within the cage while the proximal suction catheter removes the captured material. This intermediary function eliminates the harmful effect of fragment release while maintaining mechanical removal capability.
4Reliability
If the braided structure expands to compress thrombi, then blood flow can be restored partially, but the device must be navigated through small vessels in compressed state
Solution Approach 1:
The braided structure is designed to be dynamic in diameter, transitioning from a compressed low-diameter state during navigation to an expanded high-diameter state during thrombus compression. The structure maintains flexibility and compressibility for passage through small vessels, then expands upon deployment to exert compression force on the thrombus and restore blood flow, achieving both navigation capability and therapeutic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in the braided structure's physical state, transitioning from a compressed configuration with small diameter for navigation to an expanded configuration with large diameter for thrombus compression. This parameter change allows the same structure to fulfill both navigation requirements and therapeutic function effectively.
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
Enables effective partial blood flow restoration and thrombus fragment collection, allowing for temporary perfusion and potential complete thrombus removal, even in small vessels, with a reduced device diameter for easier navigation.
Implementation Method 1
the braided structure assuming an elongated form of smaller diameter when subjected to external force while when in unstressed state defining a tubular element of larger diameter
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for opening occluded blood vessels, comprising a braided structure (2) on a guide wire (1), said braided structure (2) being securely and permanently attached to the guide wire and consisting of a plurality of filaments (4) arranged in a helical manner and at least at the proximal end combined into a bundle, with the braided structure (2) assuming an elongated form of smaller diameter when subjected to external force while when in unstressed state defining a tubular element of larger diameter closed at least at its proximal end, with the device being provided with restraining/bracing fiber elements (9).