Electrostatic Clot Retrieval Device for Stroke Thrombectomy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing obstructions from blood vessels, such as clots during ischemic stroke treatment, face challenges with clot detachment and migration due to bifurcations, vessel diameter changes, and tortuosity, leading to incomplete clot retrieval and potential secondary strokes.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an interventional element that applies a direct current electrical signal to attract negatively charged clot components, using a core assembly with a pushwire and conductive tubular member to enhance clot capture and retention, employing specific waveform and power delivery parameters to improve adhesion without tissue ablation or new clot formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical thrombectomy is performed using stent or retrieval devices, then clot removal capability is improved, but clot detachment and migration risk increases due to bifurcations, vessel diameter changes, and tortuosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical clot retention mechanisms with an electrostatic field-based system. Electrical charges are applied to the retrieval device to attract and hold negatively charged clot components, providing additional retention force beyond mechanical entanglement. This electrical field substitution reduces clot detachment risk during retrieval through tortuous anatomy and bifurcations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the retrieval device by applying electrical charges to its surface. This modifies the electrostatic properties of the device, creating attractive forces between the charged device surface and oppositely charged clot components. The electrical charge parameter enhances clot adhesion and prevents detachment during navigation through complex vascular geometry.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple device passages are performed to ensure complete clot retrieval, then clot removal completeness is improved, but procedure time and patient exposure to manipulation risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic attraction mechanism enhances initial clot capture efficiency, allowing more complete clot retrieval in fewer device passages. The electrical charges prevent clot fragmentation and detachment during retrieval, reducing the need for repeated attempts and minimizing procedure time while maintaining retrieval completeness.
3Strength
If electrical signals are applied to enhance clot attachment, then clot adhesion strength is improved, but risk of tissue ablation or new clot formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical charges at controlled levels that are sufficient to create attractive electrostatic forces between the device and clot, but below thresholds that would cause tissue ablation or promote new clot formation. The electrical signal intensity is optimized to provide enhanced clot adhesion while maintaining safety margins against harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the electrical parameter (voltage/charge level) applied to the retrieval device. By adjusting this parameter within a safe range, the system achieves enhanced electrostatic attraction for clot retention without exceeding thresholds that would cause tissue damage or thrombogenesis. The electrical parameter is tuned to optimize the balance between adhesion strength and safety.
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 electrical enhancement improves clot attachment to the retrieval device, reducing the number of device passages and attempts required for complete clot retrieval, minimizing the risk of secondary strokes by maintaining clot adhesion during retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
applies a direct current electrical signal to attract negatively charged clot components
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.