Clot Retrieval Device with Expandable Engager for Vessel Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clot removal devices face challenges in navigating complex vascular anatomy, causing vessel trauma and failing to effectively handle varying clot morphologies due to high radial force requirements and compression-induced clot dehydration, leading to incomplete removal and potential embolization of fragments.
Innovation Solution
A dual-layer clot retrieval device with an expandable engager that compresses the clot to displace it through inlet openings, minimizing friction and radial force on the vessel, and features like shaped strut surfaces and a capture net to securely engage and remove the clot without causing trauma, ensuring effective removal in one pass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high radial force is applied to compress the clot for removal, then the clot can be effectively engaged and removed, but the vessel wall may be damaged and clot friction increases due to dehydration
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies different radial forces at different locations: high radial force is applied specifically at the clot engagement zone to effectively capture and remove the clot, while low radial force is applied at the vessel contact zones to minimize vessel wall damage and prevent clot dehydration. This spatial differentiation of force application resolves the contradiction between effective clot removal and vessel protection.
2Ease of operation
If the device is made flexible to navigate tortuous vessels, then access to difficult locations is improved, but the device may lack the structural integrity to effectively engage and remove clot
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flexible delivery catheter for navigation, an expandable engagement structure with high radial force capability for clot capture, and a separate low radial force zone for vessel contact. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for navigation and structural integrity for clot engagement.
3Productivity
If the device compresses the clot to remove it, then the clot can be consolidated for removal, but the clot dehydration increases friction and makes removal more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Compression is applied locally and selectively to consolidate the clot for removal while maintaining low radial force at the vessel interface to prevent dehydration. The high compression force is confined to the clot engagement zone, while the vessel contact zones maintain low force to preserve clot hydration and minimize friction, resolving the contradiction between clot consolidation and friction reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing clot from a vessel, including delivering a clot retrieval device across the clot, wherein the clot retrieval device includes an inner body having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration; and an outer body extending along a longitudinal axis and at least partially overlying the inner body. The outer body includes a first scaffolding section, a second scaffolding section hingedly connected distal of the first scaffolding section; the first and second scaffolding sections of the outer body being expandable to a radial extent which is greater than the radial extent of the inner body in the deployed configuration to define a clot reception space between the inner and outer bodies. The method also includes expanding the clot retrieval device; and urging, by the expanding of the first and second scaffolding sections, at least a portion of the clot therebetween.