Embolic Protection System with Filter Dilator
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Solution Overview
Problem
During percutaneous transcatheter procedures for heart valve interventions, the risk of embolization of calcified or thrombotic materials from the native valve or vessel walls is high, leading to complications such as ischemia, stroke, and tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of an embolic protection system comprising an expandable introducer and an embolic protection device with a filter and filter dilator, which deploys a mesh sheath to capture embolic materials and prevent their downstream embolization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a catheter is advanced through the vasculature to the target native valve for percutaneous transcatheter procedures, then the procedure can be performed, but embolic materials (calcifications, plaque, thrombus) may separate from the tissue and embolize into other parts of the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an embolic protection device as an intermediary component between the catheter and the embolic materials. This device includes a filter that captures embolic materials (calcifications, plaque, thrombus) before they can embolize into other parts of the body, thus mediating the harmful effect while allowing the catheter procedure to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The embolic protection device is deployed in advance before the catheter reaches the target valve. The filter is positioned to preemptively capture any embolic materials that may detach during the procedure, providing preliminary protection against embolization before the harmful event can occur
2Productivity
If the catheter contacts the calcified or thrombotic materials during the procedure, then the treatment can be performed, but the materials separate from the tissue and cause embolization
Solution Approach 1:
The filter within the embolic protection device serves as an intermediary that intercepts embolic materials before they can enter the bloodstream and cause embolization. This allows the catheter to contact and treat the valve while the filter captures any detached materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful embolic materials into a beneficial filtering function. The filter captures and retains these materials (calcifications, plaque, thrombus) that would otherwise be harmful, transforming them into a controlled collection point that can be safely removed with the device
3Reliability
If an embolic protection device with filter is deployed to capture embolic materials, then embolization is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embolic protection device employs a nested structure where the filter is contained within a catheter-like assembly that can be delivered through the existing vascular access system. The filter is nested within the catheter shaft, allowing the complex embolic protection function to be delivered through a relatively simple delivery mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is constructed as a thin, flexible mesh structure that can be compressed for delivery and expanded at the target location. This flexible film approach allows the filter to be delivered through narrow vascular passages while providing effective embolic capture when deployed, reducing the overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Configurations are described for assisting execution of a percutaneous procedure while protecting the vascular pathway to the target treatment area. One example is directed to an embolic protection system for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel, the embolic protection system which may include an expandable introducer, an embolic protection device, and a loading sleeve.