Clot Removal System With Segmented Barriers and Impeller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clot removal systems face risks associated with thrombolytic agents and clot migration, and there is a need for more efficient methods to minimize these risks and effectively remove clots from the vascular system.
Innovation Solution
A clot removal system that deploys first and second barriers to create an isolated segment within a vessel, delivers a thrombolytic agent, and uses an impeller with rotating blades to induce spiral fluid flow and dislodge clots, minimizing agent exposure and enhancing clot dissolution and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thrombolytic agents are used to dissolve clots, then clot dissolution is improved, but risks of agent migration and clot embolization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the vascular space by deploying two barriers (distal and proximal) to create an isolated treatment segment. This segmentation confines the thrombolytic agent to the treatment segment, preventing agent migration to other vascular regions and reducing the risk of clot embolization while maintaining effective clot dissolution within the isolated segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The barriers act as intermediaries that physically separate the treatment zone from the rest of the vascular system. These barriers serve as mediators to contain the thrombolytic agent and dislodged clot fragments within the treatment segment, preventing harmful migration while allowing the therapeutic agent to work effectively on the clot.
2Productivity
If mechanical agitation is used to dislodge clots, then clot removal efficiency is improved, but risks of clot migration and embolization increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the vascular system with two barriers, the system creates a contained environment where mechanical agitation can be applied to dislodge clots without risking migration to other vascular regions. The isolated segment acts as a safety boundary that allows aggressive mechanical therapy while preventing embolization.
Solution Approach 2:
The barriers serve as protective intermediaries that intercept and contain dislodged clot fragments, preventing them from migrating downstream. This allows the impeller to mechanically agitate and dislodge clots with high efficiency while the barriers act as a safety net to capture any fragments that become dislodged.
3Reliability
If thrombolytic agent is delivered systemically, then clot dissolution coverage is improved, but agent dosage and exposure risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers the thrombolytic agent locally to the isolated treatment segment rather than systemically throughout the entire vascular system. This localized delivery achieves effective clot dissolution coverage within the treatment segment while using a smaller, more controlled dosage of the thrombolytic agent, reducing systemic exposure and associated risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The thrombolytic agent is delivered with local quality - concentrated precisely at the treatment site within the isolated segment defined by the two barriers. This localized concentration provides effective clot dissolution coverage where needed while minimizing the total quantity of agent required and reducing exposure risks to other body systems.
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 system effectively dissolves and dislodges clots while reducing the risks associated with thrombolytic agents and clot migration, allowing for more controlled and efficient clot removal with minimized agent usage and improved distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A spiral fluid flow within the isolated segment is induced by rotating the impeller blades with the cylindrical hub
Implementation Method 2
A thrombolytic agent is delivered into an isolated segment defined by the first and second barriers in the expanded configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A clot removal system includes first and second barriers that each have an expanded configuration forming an occlusion within a vessel and a collapsed configuration. At least one deployment device distally deploys the first barrier relative to a clot, and proximally deploys the second barrier relative to the clot. The at least one deployment device also delivers a thrombolytic agent into an isolated segment defined at least in part by the first and second barriers in the expanded configurations, and positions an impeller within the isolated segment. The impeller includes a substantially cylindrical hub having at least two impeller blades attached to rotate with the cylindrical hub. Each of the at least two impeller blades has a proximal end attached to the cylindrical hub and a distal end attached to the cylindrical hub. The impeller has a transport configuration in which the at least two impeller blades are moved toward the cylindrical hub and a deployed configuration in which the at least two impeller blades are moved away from the cylindrical hub.