Electrostatic Thrombectomy Retrieval System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing clot material from blood vessels, such as those used in treating ischemic stroke, face challenges including the risk of clot dislodgement, incomplete clot removal, and the need for multiple device passes, which can lead to secondary strokes due to clot fragments obstructing other arteries.
Innovation Solution
The use of a treatment system that includes an interventional element and a current generator to positively charge the interventional element during a thrombectomy procedure. This positive charge attracts negatively charged blood components, improving the attachment of the thrombus to the interventional element and reducing the number of device passes required for complete clot removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stent is used to mechanically push or drag the clot through the vasculature, then blood flow can be restored, but the clot may dislodge and fragment, causing secondary blockages in smaller vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical stent-based clot retrieval system with an electrostatic-based system. An interventional element is charged to generate an electrostatic field that attracts and holds the clot through electrostatic attraction, eliminating the need for mechanical pushing or dragging that causes clot fragmentation and dislodgement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the interventional element from neutral to electrically charged. By applying voltage to charge the interventional element, the system creates electrostatic forces that enhance clot attachment and retention during retrieval, preventing the clot from breaking free and causing secondary blockages.
2Reliability
If multiple device passes are performed to ensure complete clot removal, then clot retention improves, but procedure time increases and risk of secondary strokes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic field provides continuous and stable clot retention during retrieval, eliminating the need for multiple passes to ensure complete clot removal. The charged interventional element maintains firm attachment to the clot throughout the procedure, allowing single-pass retrieval and reducing procedure time.
3Reliability
If the stent is expanded against or enmeshed within the clot to improve retention, then clot attachment improves, but the device becomes too large and immobile to navigate tortuous anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical expansion and enmeshment with electrostatic attraction. The interventional element remains in its collapsed, navigable state while being charged to generate an electrostatic field that attracts and holds the clot. This eliminates the need to expand the device, maintaining its ability to navigate tortuous vasculature while achieving secure clot retention.
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 system effectively enhances the attachment of clot material to the interventional element, reducing the number of device passes needed for complete clot removal and minimizing the risk of clot fragments causing secondary strokes.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a treatment system that includes an interventional element and a current generator to positively charge the interventional element during a thrombectomy procedure. This positive charge attracts negatively charged blood components, improving the attachment of the thrombus to the interventional element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~2A
AI summary
Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the thrombectomy system. The system can include a manipulation member configured to be electrically coupled to an extracorporeal power supply and an interventional element configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the manipulation member via a joining element. A locking element can be positioned within the joining element to facilitate securing the interventional element to the joining element. In some embodiments, the system includes a control member configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the extracorporeal power supply and positioned within a lumen of the locking element.