Cavitation-Bubble Thrombectomy Catheter for Rapid Clot Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy devices are slow, expensive, bulky, difficult to operate, and involve high blood loss, often requiring overnight hospital stays and relying on drugs like tPA for clot removal.
Innovation Solution
A thrombectomy device that generates cavitation bubbles using a catheter with emitters and electrodes to mechanically break down clots without drugs, utilizing a low-voltage, high-PRF generator to create cavitation bubbles for efficient clot reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical thrombectomy devices are used to remove clots, then clot removal function is provided, but the procedure time is excessively long (requiring overnight hospital stay)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical clot removal mechanisms with an electrohydraulic system that uses electrical discharges to generate cavitation bubbles. The emitter assembly with electrodes produces high-voltage pulses that create explosive bubble formation and collapse, mechanically fragmenting clots through cavitation forces rather than direct mechanical contact, thereby dramatically reducing procedure time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by using high-voltage electrical discharges (typically 500-2000 volts) at high pulse repetition frequencies (e.g., 100-1000 Hz) to generate cavitation bubbles. This parameter change enables rapid clot fragmentation and removal, reducing procedure time from overnight to minutes while maintaining effective thrombectomy function
2Productivity
If traditional thrombectomy devices are used, then clot removal is achieved, but the devices are expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The thrombectomy device is segmented into modular components: a catheter with an emitter assembly containing multiple electrodes arranged in pairs, a power source, and a control system. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing, easier sterilization, and reduced overall system complexity while maintaining effective clot removal capability through the distributed electrode array
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical thrombectomy mechanisms (such as mechanical aspirators, cutting devices, or retrieval baskets) with a simpler electrohydraulic system. The emitter assembly with electrodes generates cavitation bubbles that automatically fragment and remove clots through acoustic radiation pressure and cavitation forces, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components
3Productivity
If drug-assisted thrombolysis (tPA) is used, then clot breakdown occurs, but high blood loss and drug costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical thrombolysis (tPA) with a physical electrohydraulic mechanism. Instead of using plasminogen activator drugs that require systemic circulation and cause bleeding complications, the emitter assembly generates localized cavitation bubbles through electrical discharges that mechanically fragment clots without affecting coagulation pathways, thereby eliminating drug-related blood loss
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces cavitation bubbles as an intermediary mechanism between the electrical energy source and the clot. The bubbles act as mediators that convert electrical energy into mechanical cavitation forces, which then fragment the clot without requiring direct chemical interaction with blood components, thus avoiding the bleeding side effects of tPA
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 device provides a cost-effective and time-efficient solution for clot removal, completing procedures in under 2 hours with minimal blood loss and reduced device complexity.
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.