Thrombus Removal Catheter With Contrast-Guided Fluid Fragmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrombectomy devices struggle to effectively navigate tortuous vascular anatomy, fail to efficiently remove various clot morphologies, lack real-time visualization, and are inefficient in treating deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, particularly for large, organized clots.
Innovation Solution
A thrombus removal system with an elongated catheter featuring fluid lumens and apertures that generate multiple fluid streams for clot fragmentation, combined with contrast injection for real-time visualization and a funnel for clot capture, utilizing pressurized fluid jets and aspiration for efficient clot removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple aspiration is used for thrombus removal, then the device is easy to operate, but it is ineffective for difficult, organized clots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs high-pressure fluid jets delivered through catheter-based systems to mechanically fractionate and remove thrombi. The hydraulic force of pressurized saline or contrast solution is used to cut through organized clots that cannot be removed by simple aspiration alone, while the system remains operable by interventional radiologists and clinicians.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter is positioned further away from the clot, then navigation is easier, but more blood is unnecessarily aspirated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by injecting contrast material before aspiration to visualize the clot location and confirm catheter positioning. This allows the operator to advance the catheter closer to the clot with confidence, minimizing unnecessary blood aspiration while ensuring accurate target engagement before initiating thrombus removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback through contrast injection and imaging allows the operator to visually confirm catheter tip position relative to the clot. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning, balancing navigation ease with minimal blood loss by allowing the operator to see when the catheter is optimally positioned for aspiration.
3Loss of information
If contrast injection is performed, then real-time visualization is achieved, but procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a delivery conduit for contrast material and as an aspiration device for thrombus removal. By combining visualization and treatment functions in a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall procedural complexity despite adding the contrast injection capability.
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 efficiently fragments and aspirates large, organized clots, providing real-time visualization and reducing procedure time, thus overcoming limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
two or more apertures disposed at or near the working end, the two or more apertures in fluid communication with the least one fluid lumen and configured to generate two or more fluid streams to mechanically fractionate a target thrombus
Implementation Method 2
Pulmonary embolisms typically arise when a thrombus originating from another part of the body
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to systems and methods for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel of a patient. In some embodiments, the present technology is directed to systems including an elongated catheter having a distal portion configured to be positioned within the blood vessel of the patient, a proximal portion configured to be external to the patient, and a lumen extending therebetween. The system can also include a fluid delivery mechanism coupled with a fluid lumen and configured to apply fluid to at least partially fragment the thrombus.