Self-Expanding Embolic Filter for Vessel Wall Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolic protection devices face challenges in deploying filters with a small enough profile for insertion without dislodging emboli and ensuring effective capture of embolic material while maintaining blood flow, as they often fail to securely attach to the vessel wall and become compromised when filled with particles.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising outer and inner catheters with a flexible filter portion that can transition between a collapsed state for delivery and an expanded state for engagement with the vessel wall, allowing the filter to radially expand and securely capture emboli while allowing blood flow, utilizing a self-expanding mesh material with adjustable pore size to prevent emboli passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the filter device is deployed from the proximal side of a stenosis, then the profile of the filtering device should be significantly smaller than the opening in the stenosed vessel, but this increases the risk of dislodging emboli during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device is nested within a delivery catheter in a compressed, low-profile state during insertion. The filter elements are contained within the catheter lumen, allowing the device to pass through the stenosed vessel opening without dislodging emboli. Upon deployment, the filter expands from this nested configuration to its functional expanded state.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device transitions dynamically between two states: a compressed low-profile state for safe insertion through the stenosis, and an expanded high-capacity state for effective embolic protection. This dynamic transformation allows the device to resolve the contradiction between maintaining a small insertion profile and providing sufficient filtering capacity.
2Reliability
If the filter portion is not held against the inside of the vessel wall, then there is a risk that embolic material may pass between the filter and the vessel wall
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device is extracted from the delivery catheter and deployed against the vessel wall, where it is held in place by the natural geometry of the vessel and the expanded filter structure. The filter elements are positioned to engage with the vessel wall, ensuring embolic material is captured between the filter and the wall rather than passing around the device.
3Reliability
If the filtering device becomes filled with particles, then blood flow through the filtering device may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device utilizes porous filter elements with carefully controlled pore sizes that allow blood cells and plasma to pass through while capturing embolic particles. The porous structure maintains adequate blood flow even when filled with captured particles, as the pores remain sufficiently open for fluid passage while blocking larger embolic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is divided into multiple segments or elements distributed along the length of the device. This segmentation allows blood to flow through multiple pathways simultaneously, preventing flow compromise even when some segments become filled with embolic particles. The segmented structure also facilitates more efficient particle distribution and capture.
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 device effectively prevents emboli from reaching downstream vessels during medical procedures by securely deploying and expanding within the vessel, maintaining blood flow, and efficiently capturing embolic material for removal, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible everting filter portion including a body extending from a first end to a second end... The filter portion is movable between a collapsed delivery and removal configuration and an expanded deployed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A method of embolic protection during a medical procedure in a patient's body vessel includes inserting a medical device having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member into the body vessel. A flexible filter portion has one end attached to the distal end of the inner tubular member and the other end attached to the distal end of the outer tubular member. The filter portion is deployed within the body vessel so that the filter portion extends distally from the outer tubular member and expands radially outward to engage the filter body with an enclosing body vessel wall. A medical instrument is inserted through the inner tubular member to perform the medical procedure. The filter portion allows the passage of blood cells to surrounding vessels and prevents emboli from entering surrounding vessels. After removing medical instrument, the medical device is also removed from the body vessel.