Distal Emboli Protection Device for Neurovascular Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emboli protection devices are inadequate for safely removing clot material from patients suffering from ischemic stroke, as they fail to provide effective protection for distal vessels in the neurovascular bed.
Innovation Solution
An emboli protection device is designed to be deployed distal to the clot burden, featuring a resilient mesh body that conforms to vessel walls, creating a circumferential seal to trap and remove dislodged emboli through an aspirating catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proximal protection devices are used in carotid arteries, then protection is provided at the proximal site, but no protection is offered deeper in the neurovascular bed
Solution Approach 1:
The emboli protection device is delivered through a microcatheter that is advanced through the clot burden, allowing nested delivery of the protection device within the aspiration system. This enables distal deployment while maintaining access through the existing catheter pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from proximal protection (upstream of clot) to distal protection (downstream of clot) by deploying the emboli protection device at the distal end of the clot burden, fundamentally changing the spatial dimension of protection coverage in the neurovascular bed.
2Reliability
If an emboli protection device is deployed distal to the clot burden, then distal vessel protection is achieved, but device delivery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcatheter serves multiple functions: it acts as a delivery system for the emboli protection device, a guidewire pathway, and a potential aspiration conduit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each step.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcatheter acts as an intermediary delivery vehicle that facilitates the deployment of the emboli protection device distal to the clot burden without requiring complex separate delivery systems or multiple catheters.
3Reliability
If a mesh shield is used to trap emboli, then emboli capture efficiency is improved, but device profile and deliverability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh shield emboli protection device is nested within the microcatheter during delivery, allowing it to pass through narrow vascular pathways. Upon deployment at the distal clot end, the mesh expands to create an effective capture surface for emboli.
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 device effectively protects distal vessels from emboli dislodged during clot aspiration or mechanical thrombectomy, reducing the risk of clinical sequelae and long-term morbidity, while facilitating safer and more efficient clot removal.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient mesh body attached to the distal end of the marker, the body having a delivery shape and a deployed shape capable of conforming to vessel walls
Implementation Method 2
commencing aspiration of the clot, whereby aspiration causes vulnerable clot emboli to become dislodged and trapped in the emboli protection device
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods for protecting distal vessels from emboli during aspiration, the method comprising delivery and deployment of an emboli protection device which is advanced and placed distally relative to the clot burden and thus deep in the neurovascular bed until the device, once deployed, fully opposes a vessel wall creating a circumferential seal across the vessel. The methods utilizing the emboli protection device protect distal vasculature from vulnerable clot emboli which become dislodged during clot removal and/or aspiration and trapped in the emboli protection device.