Directional aspiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum-assisted thrombectomy systems face challenges in accurately identifying and quantifying clot material, risking excessive blood loss and inability to determine clot entry into aspiration catheters, particularly with large catheters.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of sensors on or within suction catheters to detect clot material, using modalities like bioimpedance, ultrasound, and optical detection, with a controller to manage suction and maceration based on sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large aspiration catheters are used to remove clots, then the ability to remove obstructive material is improved, but the risk of excessive blood loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors (optical, acoustic, electrical) that provide real-time feedback about the contents of the aspiration catheter. This feedback enables the controller to detect when clot material is present and adjust suction parameters accordingly, allowing the system to aspirate clot effectively while minimizing aspiration of healthy blood by stopping or reducing suction when only blood is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction parameters are made dynamic rather than static. The controller continuously adjusts suction pressure, flow rate, and other parameters based on real-time sensor feedback about the catheter contents. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize clot removal efficiency while adapting to changing conditions to prevent excessive blood loss.
2Productivity
If suction is applied continuously to remove clot, then productivity is improved, but the ability to distinguish between clot and healthy blood deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors provide continuous monitoring of the catheter contents, allowing the system to distinguish between clot material and healthy blood in real-time. The controller uses this feedback to modulate suction application, maintaining high productivity when clot is detected while preventing excessive suction of healthy blood when only blood is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic or intermittent suction cycles rather than continuous suction. The controller activates suction during phases when clot is detected and pauses or reduces suction during phases when only blood is detected, creating a periodic action pattern that maintains clot removal efficiency while minimizing blood loss.
3Measurement precision
If sensor monitoring is added to detect clot material, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously. Optical sensors can detect both the presence of clot and its characteristics, acoustic sensors can detect clot material and flow patterns, and electrical sensors can detect conductive properties of materials. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor types (optical, acoustic, electrical) are merged into an integrated sensing system within the catheter assembly. The sensors are combined with the catheter structure in a unified design, and their signals are processed together by the controller, reducing the complexity that would arise from separate independent monitoring systems.
4Reliability
If multiple sensor modalities are used to confirm clot presence, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor modality is designed to provide complementary information about clot presence. Optical sensors detect optical properties, acoustic sensors detect sound wave characteristics, and electrical sensors detect conductive properties. This multi-functional approach allows the system to confirm clot presence through multiple independent detection mechanisms, improving reliability without requiring entirely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The different sensor modalities are merged into a coordinated detection system where the controller integrates information from optical, acoustic, and electrical sensors. The system uses combination detection algorithms that analyze multiple sensor signals simultaneously, providing reliable confirmation of clot presence while managing complexity through unified processing rather than separate independent systems.
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
Enables precise and rapid confirmation of clot presence, quantity, and clearance, reducing blood loss by controlling suction and maceration processes.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be configured to sense one or more of: impedance (including impedance spectroscopy), ultrasound and/or optical properties
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may be configured to sense one or more of: impedance (including impedance spectroscopy), pressure, and/or flow
Implementation Method 3
The sensor may be configured to sense one or more of: impedance (including impedance spectroscopy), ultrasound and/or optical properties
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for removing clot material by directional aspiration may include removing clot material from a side vessel while the suction catheter remains in the main vessel. These methods may include a steerable distal end region. In some cases the apparatuses and methods may include the use of a guide catheter and/or a guidewire in orienting the suction catheter to laterally capture clot material from a side vessel without having to enter the side vessel. Any of these methods may include optionally sensing and confirming clot material (e.g., electrically sensing).