Self-Expanding Embolic Filter Catheter for Stable Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pigtail catheters used in percutaneous cardiac procedures often dislodge plaque, calcium, or thrombi, leading to embolic events such as stroke, and existing embolic protection devices either fail to trap emboli or require separate devices, increasing procedure time and risk.
Innovation Solution
An integrated embolic protection device with a deployable embolic filter and catheter, featuring a self-expanding filter and pull wire mechanism, allowing precise positioning and capture of emboli, reducing procedure duration and complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pigtail catheters are used for positioning and imaging, then the catheter can be positioned within the vasculature and hold in place, but embolic events such as stroke occur due to dislodged plaque, calcium, or thrombi
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the catheter and embolic filter into a single integrated device. The filter is positioned distal to the catheter tip and captures emboli before they can travel to the brain, while the catheter maintains its positioning and imaging functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices and ensures embolic protection is always active during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The embolic filter is deployed before the catheter is fully positioned for the procedure. By establishing embolic protection in advance, the device prevents emboli from entering the cerebral circulation during subsequent manipulations. The filter acts as a preliminary safeguard before any dislodgement events can occur.
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for embolic protection (deflector or filter), then embolic protection is provided, but procedure time increases and additional complications arise
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated catheter-filter device eliminates the need to deploy separate embolic protection devices. The filter is permanently attached to the catheter, so embolic protection is automatically provided whenever the catheter is in place. This reduces procedure time by removing the steps of selecting, positioning, and securing separate filter devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single device performs multiple functions: the catheter provides positioning and imaging capabilities while the attached filter provides embolic protection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifies the procedural workflow, reducing time and potential complications.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter position is not anchored, then the catheter can be easily positioned, but the position is susceptible to blood flow and tissue movement
Solution Approach 1:
The expanded filter structure acts as an anchor that counteracts the forces of blood flow and tissue movement. By creating a stable distal anchor point, the filter compensates for the lack of proximal fixation, allowing the catheter to maintain its position without requiring complex anchoring mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes an embolic protection device comprising a catheter having a self-expanding embolic filter that is disposed around the catheter proximal to a distal portion, wherein the embolic filter comprises a frame, and the frame defines an opening of the embolic filter that faces the distal end of the catheter; a deployment mechanism that is disposed around at least a portion of the catheter, wherein the deployment mechanism is longitudinally movable with respect to the catheter, the deployment mechanism is configured to contain the embolic filter in a collapsed configuration, and the embolic filter is configured to self-expand upon the longitudinal retraction of the deployment mechanism; and a wire coupled to the frame for expanding the size or diameter of the embolic filter opening.