Clot Retrieval System with Non-Occluding Anchor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intravascular thrombus removal devices are ineffective in removing hard, organized blood clots and foreign bodies from the brain due to their design limitations, such as requiring vessel occlusion, failure to dislodge clots from vessel walls, and risk of embolization during retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A deployable system using a catheter-delivered device with memory metal strips that can expand to capture and retrieve clots without occluding the vessel, featuring a distal body with a claw-like structure that can be deployed from a microcatheter and manipulated to encase the clot, allowing for safe and complete removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a balloon occlusion device is used to remove clots, then the clot can be secured and removed, but the vessel is occluded causing ischemia and risking vessel injury
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent components: a non-occluding anchor positioned proximal to the clot and a retrieval basket positioned distal to the clot. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without requiring complete vessel occlusion, thereby maintaining blood flow while enabling effective clot removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-occluding anchor serves as an intermediary element that provides a secure attachment point proximal to the clot without blocking the vessel. This intermediary structure allows the retrieval system to be anchored and operated without requiring balloon occlusion, thus preventing ischemia while maintaining clot removal capability.
2Ease of operation
If current thrombus removal devices are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the devices fail to dislodge hard organized clots from vessel walls
Solution Approach 1:
The non-occluding anchor is deployed first and positioned proximal to the clot before the retrieval basket is advanced. This preliminary action secures the system in place and creates a stable configuration that enables subsequent effective engagement and dislodgement of hard organized clots without risking embolization.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic components including the expandable retrieval basket and the adjustable anchor structure that can adapt to different clot positions and vessel geometries. This dynamic design allows the device to effectively engage hard organized clots and facilitate their removal while maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a retrieval device is used without proximal anchor, then the device structure is simpler, but the risk of embolization during retrieval increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a proximal anchor component and a distal retrieval basket component. This segmentation provides a secure two-point attachment system that effectively prevents clot embolization during retrieval while maintaining relatively simple device structure and ease of deployment.
4Ease of operation
If a large-bore catheter is used to deliver the device, then the device can be delivered more easily, but the access vessels must be larger and more invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The device components are designed to be nested within each other during delivery, with the retrieval basket collapsing into the catheter and the anchor positioned within the vessel lumen. This nested configuration allows delivery through smaller, less invasive access vessels while maintaining ease of deployment and effective functionality.
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 removes hard clots from intracranial vessels without occluding the vessel, reducing the risk of embolization and improving the safety and efficacy of clot retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
A deployable system using a catheter-delivered device with memory metal strips that can expand to capture and retrieve clots
Data Source
AI summary
Catheter-delivered endovascular medical devices are described. The devices may include a pull wire attached to a distal body. The distal body may be formed of a distal body outer body comprising a basket comprised of a plurality of cells defined by a plurality of basket strips and a distal body inner body located in the interior of the distal body outer body and comprising a plurality of distal braided mesh openings formed by a plurality of woven linear strands. The distal braided mesh openings may be smaller than the cells when the device is in the relaxed state. Methods of using and making the devices are also described.