Catheter Filter with Mesh and Struts for Emboli Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter-based treatments for conditions like coronary heart disease face challenges with dislodged particles and debris causing emboli, which can lead to adverse effects such as stroke, due to the compression of native tissue during procedures like TAVR/TAVI, where particles are dislodged from the aortic arch and carried distally by the bloodstream.
Innovation Solution
A catheter-based apparatus with a filter component featuring a mesh and frame structure that deploys over artery openings in the aortic arch, capturing particles while allowing blood flow, and can be retracted for removal, using struts to apply force between frames for sealing and particulate capture, and a mechanical spring for maintaining conformity under varying pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a catheter-based apparatus is used to treat coronary heart disease or perform TAVR/TAVI procedures, then access to coronary vessels and heart valves is achieved, but particles and debris are dislodged from the aortic arch and carried distally causing emboli
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (distal protection apparatus) that acts as a mediator between the bloodstream and the coronary vessels. This apparatus includes a filter or occlusion device deployed at the distal end of the catheter to intercept and capture embolic particles before they can enter the coronary circulation, thus protecting the vessels while maintaining the ability to perform the required intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by deploying the distal protection apparatus before the main intervention takes place. The filter or occlusion device is positioned in advance to prevent emboli from entering the coronary vessels during subsequent manipulation of catheters and devices in the aortic arch, countering the harmful effect before it occurs
2Ease of manufacture
If native tissue is compressed into the aortic arch to make room for replacement devices during TAVR/TAVI, then device implantation is enabled, but arterial plaque and thrombus are dislodged causing stroke risk
Solution Approach 1:
The distal protection apparatus serves as an intermediary barrier between the aortic arch and the coronary circulation. During TAVR/TAVI procedures where native tissue compression may dislodge plaque, the filter or occlusion device captures these dislodged particles, preventing them from traveling to the brain and causing stroke while allowing the implantation procedure to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of plaque dislodgement into a beneficial outcome by using the distal protection apparatus to capture these particles. The same mechanical forces that may dislodge plaque during device implantation are now harnessed to concentrate particles at the filter, which can then be safely removed or allowed to dissolve without causing embolic events
3Reliability
If a filter component is deployed to capture particles in the aortic arch, then emboli prevention is achieved, but the device structure becomes complex requiring multiple frames and struts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the filter component into distinct modular elements: an inner frame, an outer frame, and multiple struts connecting them. This segmented structure allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity, and facilitates deployment and retrieval through the catheter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the nested doll principle by positioning the inner frame within the outer frame, with struts connecting the two frames. This nested configuration allows the filter component to be compactly stored within the catheter during delivery, then expanded to its functional configuration during deployment, and finally collapsed back for retrieval, maximizing space efficiency while maintaining structural complexity for effective filtration
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
As may be implemented with various aspects of the present disclosure, a mesh structure is coupled to inner and outer frames that operate with struts to apply pressure to the mesh. Such an approach may involve sealing the mesh around an opening, such as around one or more artery openings along an interior wall of vascular tissue (e.g., in an aortic arch). Accordingly, blood flow can be filtered in a manner that is useful for capturing particulates such as those resulting from surgical operations. In various implementations, the mesh, struts and frames are deployed using a catheter and shaft coupled to the frames. Such an approach can be implemented to apply a spring force from the shaft and through the frames for sealing the mesh.