Deformable Catheter with Transverse Openings for Thrombus Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter systems for detaching parietal thrombi from blood vessels are technically complex and demanding to operate, often causing vessel wall injuries due to the use of sharp-edged instruments, and fail to ensure complete and residue-free removal of thrombus material.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system with a resiliently deformable elastomer material that changes diameter and features transverse wall openings, utilizing resilient resetting forces for radial expansion and contraction to securely capture and remove thrombus material without cutting instruments, assisted by a mandrel or inflatable balloon for expansion and underpressure for separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sharp-edged instruments are used to detach thrombi, then thrombus removal effectiveness is improved, but vessel wall injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus removal effectivenessVSAvoidvessel wall injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sharp-edged mechanical cutting instruments with a balloon-based system that uses controlled radial expansion forces. The balloon, when inflated, applies uniform pressure to detach thrombi through a membrane without requiring sharp edges, thereby maintaining removal effectiveness while eliminating vessel wall injury caused by cutting instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters from cutting force to controlled expansion pressure. By controlling the balloon inflation pressure and the mechanical properties of the membrane, the system achieves thrombus detachment through parameter optimization rather than mechanical cutting, reducing harmful effects on the vessel wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex catheter systems are used, then thrombus removal completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus removal completenessVSAvoidcatheter system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated catheter system. The catheter includes the balloon, membrane with openings, and thrombus collection chamber all in one structure, eliminating the need for separate instruments for thrombus detachment and collection, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining complete thrombus removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter system performs multiple functions simultaneously: the balloon provides expansion force for thrombus detachment, the membrane with openings filters and collects thrombus fragments, and the chamber stores the removed material. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed while ensuring complete thrombus removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple catheter positions are required, then thrombus removal completeness is improved, but procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus removal completenessVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane is divided into multiple openings distributed across its surface, allowing the catheter to collect thrombus fragments from multiple locations simultaneously in a single position. This segmentation of the collection surface enables complete thrombus removal without requiring the operator to reposition the catheter multiple times, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining removal completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables a simple, safe, and efficient removal of thrombus material from the vessel wall with minimal risk of injury, ensuring complete extracorporeal delivery of thrombus fragments and reducing the need for multiple catheter positions, thus improving operational safety and effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient resetting forces: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

assisted by a mandrel or inflatable balloon for expansion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial expansion: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

assisted by a mandrel or inflatable balloon for expansion and underpressure for separation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUnderpressure: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS10420581B2Device for detaching parietal thrombi from a blood vessel

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 UNIVERSITATSKLINIKUM FREIBURG

AI summary

A device for detaching parietal thrombi from a blood vessel is disclosed, comprising a catheter including at least one catheter section, wherein an outer diameter of the at least one catheter section is changeable and at least one wall opening extends transversely through a wall of the at least one catheter section. The catheter wall along the at least one catheter section is a resilient and deformable material. The catheter is transformed from a smaller catheter outer diameter to a uniform larger catheter outer diameter by a resilient change in shape. A displacement body can be introduced into the at least one catheter section which is transformed in diameter to deform the catheter from the smaller catheter outer diameter to the larger outer diameter for capturing thrombus material.