Embolic Filter Retrieval Sheath for Debris Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional embolic protection devices face risks of unintentional release of captured embolic debris during removal and potential complications from redirected debris migration.

Innovation Solution

An embolic filter system with an elongate element and a filter portion featuring perforations for debris filtration, allowing controlled deployment and retrieval without releasing debris back into the vasculature, and incorporating a constraining element for collapsibility and safe removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional embolic protection devices capture embolic debris in the device, then embolic debris is trapped and prevented from circulating, but the captured embolic debris may be unintentionally released back into the vasculature during the removal process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolic debris capture reliabilityVSAvoidunintentional release of embolic debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a filter portion for capturing embolic debris and a delivery sheath for containment and removal. The filter portion can be collapsed and removed independently through the delivery sheath, separating the capture function from the removal function to prevent accidental release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter portion is nested within the delivery sheath during delivery and removal. The filter portion collapses into a compact configuration that fits within the delivery sheath, allowing safe removal while maintaining containment of captured embolic debris.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional embolic protection devices redirect the embolic debris to areas of the vasculature, then the risk of harm to the patient is reduced, but complications may arise as a result of the redirected embolic debris migrating to another anatomical region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of harm from embolic debrisVSAvoidredirected embolic debris migration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of redirecting embolic debris to potentially harmful locations, the device converts the harmful circulating debris into captured and contained material. The filter portion captures embolic debris and the delivery sheath provides a safe containment pathway for removal, transforming a harmful process into a beneficial protective action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter portion acts as an intermediary between the vasculature and the removal system. It captures embolic debris in the vascular system while preventing its direct circulation, and the delivery sheath serves as an intermediary pathway for safely removing the captured debris without releasing it back into the vasculature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the filter portion is made blood impermeable to filter embolic debris, then embolic debris is effectively captured, but blood flow through the filter portion is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolic debris filtration efficiencyVSAvoidblood flow through filter portion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter portion has different permeability characteristics in different regions: the filter mesh provides local blood impermeability to capture embolic debris, while the delivery sheath and surrounding structures maintain overall blood flow pathways. This localized differentiation allows filtration without complete blockage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The filter portion utilizes porous or permeable materials that allow selective passage. The porous structure captures embolic debris through filtration while maintaining sufficient permeability to allow blood flow, achieving both filtration efficiency and maintained circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 filters and redirects embolic debris, minimizing the risk of debris release and migration, ensuring safe and efficient clinical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a portion of the second covering material includes a plurality of perforations configured to filter embolic debris from blood flowing into the filter portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12465478B2Embolic filter system

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward an embolic filter system. The embolic filter system generally includes a filter and an elongated element. In some examples, the elongate element extends to a position distal to a proximal end of the filter and operates to protect against medical devices entangling with the filter. In some examples, the elongate element is soft and compliant and operates with a hemostatic seal to provide for a hemostatic seal within a lumen of the elongate element while maintaining the lumen as a working lumen through which medical devices can be passed.