Electrostatic Thrombectomy Device Clot Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing clot material from blood vessels face challenges such as clot detachment during retrieval, especially in tortuous intracranial vascular anatomy, leading to potential secondary strokes and incomplete clot removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrically enhanced thrombectomy device with electrodes carried by the interventional element, which applies a direct current to positively charge the device, improving the attachment of negatively charged clot components and reducing the number of device passes required for complete clot retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical thrombectomy devices are used to retrieve clot material, then clot removal capability is achieved, but clot detachment and migration risk increases during retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical clot engagement with an electrostatic-based system. Electrodes deliver electrical current to generate electrostatic charges on the interventional element surface, creating electrostatic attraction forces that hold clot material without relying solely on mechanical friction or physical interlocking, thereby reducing clot detachment risk during retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the interventional element surface by applying electrical current to create variable electrostatic charges. This dynamic parameter change allows the surface charge density to be adjusted, creating strong attractive forces for negatively charged clot components while maintaining device flexibility and navigation capability
2Reliability
If multiple device passes are performed to ensure complete clot retrieval, then clot removal completeness improves, but procedure time and patient exposure to risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic attraction mechanism provides more effective and reliable clot adhesion compared to mechanical methods alone, allowing complete clot engagement in fewer passes. The electrostatic forces act over a larger surface area and create stronger holding forces, reducing the need for repeated retrieval attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic charge is applied to the interventional element before and during clot engagement, creating preliminary adhesive forces that secure the clot immediately upon contact. This preliminary electrostatic bonding prevents clot detachment during subsequent manipulation and retrieval, ensuring complete removal in a single pass
3Reliability
If electrical current is applied to the interventional element, then electrostatic adhesion to clot material improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interventional element is designed with integrated electrodes that serve dual functions: maintaining electrical continuity for navigation and delivery systems, and generating electrostatic charges for clot adhesion. This multi-functionality adds clot retention capability without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrical delivery function with the clot engagement function by integrating electrodes directly into the interventional element structure. The same conductive elements used for electrical delivery also serve as the charge-generating surfaces for electrostatic adhesion, combining multiple functions into a unified system
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 electrically enhanced approach improves the adhesion of clot material to the interventional element, reducing the risk of clot detachment and secondary strokes, while also minimizing the number of procedural attempts needed to fully retrieve the clot.
Implementation Method 1
the use of an electrically enhanced thrombectomy device with electrodes carried by the interventional element, which applies a direct current to positively charge the device, improving the attachment of negatively charged clot components
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2
AI summary
Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to a medical device. The device can include an elongate core member having a distal portion configured to be intravascularly positioned at a treatment site within a blood vessel lumen, and an interventional element connected to the distal portion of the elongate core member. The interventional element includes a body that is expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration and an electrically conductive radiopaque marker coupled to the body. An electrically conductive lead has a distal portion electrically coupled to the radiopaque marker and a proximal portion configured to be electrically coupled to a current source.