Embolectomy Device Dynamic Strut Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolectomy devices often fail to securely ensnare or remove vascular obstructions due to detachment during withdrawal, leading to incomplete procedures and potential exacerbation of embolic episodes by fragmenting and migrating emboli into smaller vessels.
Innovation Solution
The embolectomy device features a radially expanded configuration with secondary struts that move from an aligned to a non-aligned configuration, reducing pore size through strut-related changes such as configuration, size, or relative movement, enhancing ensnarement and envelopment of vascular obstructions to prevent detachment during withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the embolectomy device uses a simple tubular structure for delivery, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the device fails to securely ensnare vascular obstructions leading to detachment during withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The embolectomy device employs dynamic struts that can change configuration from an aligned state during delivery to a non-aligned state during deployment. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its structure: the struts move to reduce pore size and create an interlocking pattern that securely ensnares the obstruction, preventing detachment while maintaining relative structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in the strut configuration, specifically the movement from aligned to non-aligned positions, which alters the pore size and geometric arrangement. This parameter change enables the same simple tubular structure to provide both easy delivery and secure ensnarement of the vascular obstruction
2Ease of operation
If the embolectomy device has large pore size in expanded configuration, then the device can be easily delivered through tortuous vasculature, but the obstruction can pass through and detach during withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The struts dynamically change from an aligned configuration during delivery (maintaining large pores for easy navigation through tortuous vasculature) to a non-aligned configuration during obstruction removal (reducing pore size to prevent obstruction passage and ensure secure retention during withdrawal)
Solution Approach 2:
The device undergoes periodic structural transformation: first in the aligned state for delivery, then transitions to the non-aligned state for ensnarement. This periodic action between two structural states allows the device to sequentially satisfy both delivery ease and obstruction retention requirements
3Device complexity
If the struts remain in aligned configuration during deployment, then the device structure remains simple, but the pore size does not reduce and ensnarement capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The struts are designed to dynamically change configuration from aligned to non-aligned, providing a simple mechanism that automatically reduces pore size during deployment. This dynamic behavior enables effective obstruction ensnarement without requiring complex mechanical actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The strut configuration change appears to occur through self-service mechanisms where the struts naturally transition from aligned to non-aligned positions during the deployment process, reducing pore size and enabling ensnarement without requiring external complex actuation systems
Data Source
AI summary
An embolectomy device includes a tubular body having a plurality of interconnected primary struts that define a plurality of openings when the tubular body is in a radially expanded deployed configuration, and a plurality of secondary struts connected to the primary struts that move from being aligned with the primary struts to a non-aligned configuration in which the secondary struts extend at least partially into and/or across the openings, to thereby ensnare or encapsulate a vascular obstruction within the primary and secondary struts after the tubular body is deployed proximate the obstruction and allowed to expand into or through the obstruction.