Distal Thrombectomy Catheter with Pressure Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical thrombectomy devices face challenges in effectively removing clots from large vessel occlusions due to balloon guide catheters' limitations, such as difficulty in inflating and deflating, vessel injury risks, and inability to access more distal locations, leading to incomplete clot removal and potential further brain damage.
Innovation Solution
A catheter device with a distal occlusion balloon and pressure sensors that dynamically adjusts inflation based on blood pressure data to achieve optimal occlusion, allowing for safer and more effective clot removal by preventing fragmentation and migration, and enabling access to smaller cerebral vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a balloon guide catheter is used for mechanical thrombectomy, then clot removal can be attempted, but the catheter becomes difficult to inflate and deflate, and risks vessel injury
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is designed with dynamic compliance to adapt to vessel size changes during inflation and deflation. The balloon material and structure allow it to expand and contract smoothly, making it easier to inflate and deflate while maintaining reliable clot occlusion and removal effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a balloon guide catheter is used for mechanical thrombectomy, then clot removal can be attempted, but it risks vessel injury
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors are integrated into the balloon catheter to provide real-time feedback on intraluminal pressure and vessel wall contact forces. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust inflation pressure to remain within safe limits, ensuring effective clot removal while preventing vessel injury through continuous monitoring and adaptive control.
3Reliability
If a balloon guide catheter is used for mechanical thrombectomy, then clot removal can be attempted, but it cannot access more distal locations
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into modular segments including a long, flexible delivery catheter, a separate balloon component, and integrated pressure sensing elements. This segmentation allows the catheter to navigate distal vessel locations while maintaining the ability to inflate the balloon effectively at the target site for reliable clot removal.
4Ease of operation
If manual balloon inflation is used, then the procedure can be performed, but incomplete clot removal and potential further brain damage can occur
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors provide real-time feedback on balloon inflation status and clot occlusion effectiveness. This feedback enables the system to determine when complete clot removal has been achieved by monitoring pressure changes and flow restoration, ensuring reliable and complete clot removal while maintaining procedural simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms.
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 enhances clot retrieval success rates, minimizes tissue damage, and allows for safer procedures by maintaining optimal balloon inflation and occlusion, even in smaller vessels, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor associated with the distal end and operable to measure blood pressure data from at least one of a downstream and upstream location of the occlusion balloon
Implementation Method 2
an occlusion balloon connected to the distal end and operable to occlude blood flow in a blood vessel by inflation and deflation using a pressurization fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Catheter devices and methods are disclosed and described. A catheter device (100) can include a longitudinal lumen (104) and having a proximal end (104a) and a distal end (104b). The distal end (104b) is capable of insertion into at least the internal carotid artery. The catheter device (100) can include an occlusion balloon (120b) connected to the distal end (104b) and operable to occlude blood flow in a blood vessel (102) by inflation and deflation using a pressurization fluid. The catheter device (100) can include a pressure sensor (110b) associated with the distal end (104b) and operable to measure blood pressure data from at least one of a downstream (103b) and upstream (103a) location of the occlusion balloon (120b) and transmit the blood pressure data to a controller (150). The occlusion balloon (120b) can be operable to inflate or deflate based on inflation control information. The catheter device (100) can be used to treat cerebral thrombectomy in a subject.