Cavitation Bubble Catheter with Aspiration for Rapid Thrombus Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy devices are slow, expensive, difficult to operate, and involve high blood loss, often requiring overnight hospital stays, and rely on costly drugs like tPA for clot removal.
Innovation Solution
A thrombectomy device that generates cavitation bubbles using low-voltage, high-pulse-repetition-rate generators to mechanically break down clots without drugs, utilizing a catheter with emitters and lumens for bubble generation and debris removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical thrombectomy devices are used, then clot removal function is provided, but procedure time is excessively long (overnight stay required)
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs pulsed electrical energy delivery through electrode pairs at controlled frequencies (e.g., 1-100 Hz) to generate periodic cavitation bubbles. This periodic action accelerates clot breakdown compared to continuous or mechanical methods, reducing procedure time from overnight to under 2 hours while maintaining effective thrombus removal
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the clot by applying electrical parameters (voltage, frequency, pulse duration) that induce cavitation. By adjusting these parameters, the device transforms the clot structure rapidly, achieving faster removal speeds without requiring prolonged mechanical intervention
2Productivity
If tPA drugs are used for thrombolytic treatment, then clot dissolution is achieved, but treatment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces chemical thrombolytic agents (tPA) with a physical mechanism - electrical field-induced cavitation. This substitution eliminates drug costs while maintaining clot removal efficiency, as the cavitation bubbles mechanically disrupt clot structure without requiring expensive pharmacological intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the body's own conductive fluid (blood) as the medium for energy transmission. The electrical energy is delivered through the existing physiological environment, eliminating the need for external drug administration and reducing treatment costs while achieving effective thrombus dissolution
3Productivity
If conventional thrombectomy devices are used, then thrombus removal is achieved, but blood loss in patient is high
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces cavitation bubbles as an intermediary mechanism between the electrical energy source and the thrombus. These bubbles act as a mediator that transfers energy to break down the clot, allowing removal without direct mechanical contact that would cause blood loss, thus protecting the vessel wall and reducing hemorrhage
4Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasound-based thrombectomy devices are used, then tissue permeability is increased for drug delivery, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts and eliminates the need for complex ultrasound generation hardware, drug reservoirs, and infusion systems. By using simple electrode pairs connected to a pulse generator, it achieves tissue permeability enhancement through cavitation without the bulky and complex infrastructure required by ultrasound-based systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple, inexpensive electrode pairs that can be disposed of or easily replaced, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, and difficult-to-maintain ultrasound generators. The simplicity of the electrical components reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to enhance tissue permeability for effective treatment
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
Provides a cost-effective and time-efficient method for clot removal, reducing procedure time to under 2 hours with minimal blood loss and avoiding drug-related costs.
Implementation Method 1
each emitter is configured to generate a plurality of cavitation bubbles when a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to thrombectomy devices. An exemplary catheter comprises: an emitter assembly comprising at least one emitter; wherein each emitter comprises an electrode pair, and wherein each emitter is configured to generate a plurality of cavitation bubbles when a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes; an infusion lumen formed by at least a portion of an outer wall of the catheter, the infusion lumen configured to receive a conductive fluid, wherein the emitter assembly is housed within the infusion lumen, wherein a distal segment of the infusion lumen includes a plurality of holes on the portion of the outer wall of the catheter, and wherein the plurality of holes are configured to release the conductive fluid and the plurality of cavitation bubbles out of the catheter to treat thrombus at a treatment site; an aspiration lumen including aspiration ports at the distal segment thereof.