Coiling Intravenous Filter Wire Deployment via Dispensing Needle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, such as anticoagulation therapy, thrombectomy, and inferior vena cava filter placement, are invasive, costly, and carry significant risks, including excessive bleeding and complex surgical procedures, with IVC filter removal being particularly challenging and requiring large bore access.

Innovation Solution

A vascular filter system comprising a dispensing needle and filter wire dispenser that allows for the deployment of a coiling filter wire within a vein, which can be easily placed and removed without invasive procedures, using a syringe to verify vein access and a fixation device to secure the filter wire, enabling minimal intrusion and reduced recovery time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional IVC filter placement is used, then blood clots can be captured and prevented from migrating, but the procedure requires large bore catheter access, surgical installation, and complex surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood clot captureVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into separate components: a filter wire that forms a coil structure, a dispensing needle for delivery, and a fixation device for anchoring. This segmentation allows the filter to be deployed through a simpler, smaller access point rather than requiring complex surgical installation through large bore catheters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter wire is extracted from the dispensing needle and deployed into the vein through a minimally invasive approach. The filter wire can be removed from the needle without requiring surgical removal of the entire assembly, simplifying the placement procedure while maintaining effective blood clot capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If removable IVC filter is used, then filter can be removed after several weeks to months, but removal requires large bore access, snaring device, and technically challenging procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter retention timeVSAvoidfilter removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring complex snaring procedures to retrieve the filter, the design allows the filter wire to be easily pulled back through the same small access point it was inserted through. The fixation device can be released and the filter wire retrieved through the dispensing needle, inverting the traditional removal challenge into a simple extraction process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing needle serves as an intermediary device that facilitates both insertion and removal of the filter wire. Rather than requiring separate complex insertion and removal procedures, the needle acts as a reusable mediator that simplifies the entire lifecycle of filter placement and retrieval

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If anticoagulation therapy is used, then blood clot formation is reduced, but excessive bleeding risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDVT preventionVSAvoidexcessive bleeding risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The physical filter device converts the harmful effect of blood clotting into a beneficial protective mechanism. Instead of preventing clots through medication (which causes bleeding), the filter actively captures and removes clots as they form, turning the clotting process from a harmful event into a controlled protective function that reduces DVT risk without increasing bleeding susceptibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If thrombectomy is performed, then blood clots can be extracted, but vascular damage risk increases and procedure is technically difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot extractionVSAvoidvascular damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter wire is designed to self-deploy and self-secure within the vein through its coiling mechanism and fixation device. Rather than requiring complex surgical extraction procedures, the filter system serves itself by automatically positioning and anchoring the filter wire, reducing the need for additional vascular manipulation and minimizing the risk of vascular damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9387062B2Intravenous deep vein thrombosis filter and method of filter placement

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 BATISTE STANLEY

AI summary

A vascular filter system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the filter system comprises a dispensing needle releasably attached to a filter dispenser which stores a length of filter wire. The filter wire dispenser has a guide tube which guides the filter wire into the needle and then into a vein during surgical implantation. The filter wire is configured to coil into a predetermined shape as it is deployed from the needle. The shape of the filter wire captures blood clots in the blood stream. Once the filter wire is deployed, the needle may be removed and a portion of the filter wire may be left protruding from the patient's skin surface to allow the filter wire to be secured by a fixation device. A syringe may be used to draw blood to confirm that the needle is properly positioned within a vein before the filter wire is deployed.