Electrostatic Clot Retrieval Device for Vessel Lumen Obstructions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing obstructions from body lumens, such as clots from blood vessels, face challenges such as clot detachment during retrieval, especially in tortuous anatomy, leading to potential secondary strokes and increased procedural duration.
Innovation Solution
The use of an interventional element with a positive electrical charge to attract negatively charged blood components, improving clot capture and retention, is proposed. This is achieved through a core assembly with a hypotube and pushwire configuration, where the pushwire is coupled to a positive electrical terminal and the hypotube to a negative terminal, with insulating layers to separate the electrical paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical retrieval devices are used to remove clots from blood vessels, then clot removal capability is achieved, but clot detachment during retrieval occurs leading to secondary strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical clot retrieval with an electrostatic-based system. The retrieval device incorporates electrodes that generate electrostatic fields to attract and hold charged clot material, substituting mechanical grasping forces with electrical attraction forces to improve clot retention during retrieval through tortuous vasculature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the retrieval device by applying electrical charge to it. The device transitions from a neutral mechanical structure to an electrically charged entity that can attract oppositely charged clot material through electrostatic forces, fundamentally altering how the device interacts with the target material
2Reliability
If multiple device passages are used to retrieve complete clot, then clot retrieval completeness is improved, but procedural duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrostatic charge to the retrieval device before it contacts the clot material. This preliminary electrical preparation creates attractive forces that secure the clot to the device in a single passage, eliminating the need for multiple retrieval attempts and reducing procedural time while ensuring complete clot removal
3Reliability
If electrical charge is applied to interventional element, then clot adhesion is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrical components into the existing retrieval device structure, making the device perform both mechanical retrieval and electrostatic attraction functions. The electrodes are incorporated into the device framework, allowing a single device to provide both structural support and electrical charge delivery without requiring separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses conductive materials and electrical insulation layers as intermediaries between the power source and the clot material. These intermediary components enable controlled charge transfer to the retrieval device while preventing unwanted electrical contact, managing the complexity through standardized electrical interface elements
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 application of a direct current electrical signal, particularly using periodic waveforms, enhances clot adhesion to the interventional element, reducing the number of device passages required for complete clot retrieval and minimizing the risk of clot detachment and secondary strokes.
Implementation Method 1
The use of an interventional element with a positive electrical charge to attract negatively charged blood components, improving clot capture and retention
Implementation Method 2
The application of a direct current electrical signal, particularly using periodic waveforms, enhances clot adhesion to the interventional element
Data Source
AI summary
Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the removal device. The removal device can have a core assembly that includes a hypotube coupled to a first electrical terminal and a pushwire coupled to a second electrical terminal, the pushwire extending through the hypotube lumen. An insulating layer separates the hypotube and the pushwire, and an interventional element is coupled to a distal end of the pushwire. The interventional element can be disposed adjacent to a thrombus. An electrical signal is delivered to the interventional element to promote adhesion of the thrombus to the interventional element. The electrical signal can optionally be a periodic waveform, and the total energy delivered can be between 0.75-24,000 mJ and the peak current delivered via the electrical signal can be between 0.5-5 mA.