Tubular Clot Capture Element Radial Contraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clot removal devices risk dislodging clot fragments during the removal process, potentially causing further trauma to the patient due to disruption of clots during device deployment or removal.
Innovation Solution
A clot removal device featuring a tubular clot capture element with a mesh-like structure that radially contracts upon retraction, exerting a radially inward compression force and a longitudinal shearing force to securely engage and remove clots from blood vessels, minimizing the risk of fragment dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a catheter with a balloon is passed through the clot and then inflated, then the clot can be removed from the blood vessel, but the pre-deployment activity can disrupt the clot, causing pieces to break away and travel through the vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The clot capture element is deployed to surround the clot before any engagement or removal action is taken. This preliminary positioning prevents clot disruption during subsequent manipulation, as the clot is already secured within the capture element's mesh structure before the balloon is inflated or other engagement elements are activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular clot capture element with mesh structure serves as an intermediary between the clot and the removal mechanism. It provides a protective interface that secures the clot during extraction, preventing direct contact between the clot and potentially disruptive forces from the balloon or engagement elements, thereby reducing fragmentation risk.
2Ease of operation
If the clot removal device is deployed in distal territory, then the clot can be accessed for removal, but there is an increased risk of deploying the device in uninvolved distal territory and causing traumatic damage
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a delivery catheter, a deployable clot capture element, and engagement elements. This segmentation allows the clot capture element to be delivered through the vasculature in a compact state, then deployed only at the target site where it can be precisely positioned around the clot under imaging guidance, minimizing exposure of uninvolved vessels to the device.
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 effectively reduces the risk of clot fragmentation during removal, ensuring safer extraction of clots from blood vessels by applying controlled forces to maintain clot integrity and prevent further vascular damage.
Implementation Method 1
the clot capture element may be configured to radially contract upon retraction, such that when the clot capture element surrounds a clot and is retracted in a longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, the clot capture element may be configured to exert a radially inward compression force on the clot
Implementation Method 2
when the clot capture element is retracted in a longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, a longitudinal shearing force may be exerted on the clot
Data Source
AI summary
A clot removal device and method for removing a clot from a blood vessel may employ a tubular clot capture element. The clot capture element may be configured for deployment in a blood vessel for surrounding a clot. The clot capture element may have an opening therein configured to receive and guide a clot engaging element and may be configured to radially contract upon retraction, such that when the clot capture element surrounds a clot and is retracted in a longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, the clot capture element is configured to exert a radially inward compression force on the clot.