Expandable Atherectomy Head for Single-Pass Plaque Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotational atherectomy devices lack the ability to control and precisely expand the abrasive head, necessitating multiple axial passes for treating larger diameter vessels, prolonging the treatment procedure.

Innovation Solution

A rotational atherectomy device with a rotatable drive shaft and flexible shafts, featuring internal guiding tracks and an abrasive head that can move from a radially contracted to an expanded configuration, allowing controlled expansion and increased surface area treatment in a single pass.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the abrasive head is offset towards one side of the vessel wall to treat larger diameter vessels, then the device can treat larger vessels, but the treatment procedure becomes longer and more complex requiring multiple axial passes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to treat larger diameter vesselsVSAvoidtreatment procedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The abrasive head is made dynamically expandable from a contracted configuration during delivery to an expanded configuration during treatment. The flexible shafts allow the abrasive elements to move radially outward under centrifugal force, enabling the same device to adapt to different vessel sizes without requiring multiple axial passes, thus reducing treatment time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the abrasive head is made expandable to treat larger vessels, then the treatment efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidabrasive head expansion mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible shafts are used to connect the drive shaft to the abrasive elements, allowing the abrasive head to expand and contract smoothly. The flexible shafts act as thin-film-like structures that transmit rotational motion while accommodating radial movement, enabling expansion functionality without adding complex mechanical joints or actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The abrasive head expands automatically under the centrifugal force generated during rotation. The flexible shafts and abrasive elements work together to convert rotational motion into radial expansion without requiring external control mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the abrasive head is expanded to increase surface area treatment, then fewer axial passes are needed, but the control precision of expansion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface area treatment per passVSAvoidabrasive head expansion control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion of the abrasive head is controlled by changing the radial position parameter of the flexible shafts. By adjusting the distal end position of the flexible shafts along the drive shaft, the abrasive elements can be precisely positioned at different radial distances, enabling controlled expansion to increase surface area treatment while maintaining precision through parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables precise and efficient plaque removal from blood vessels by allowing controlled expansion of the abrasive head, reducing treatment time and simplifying the procedure.

Implementation Method 1

the abrasive head comprises a number of abrasive elements which extend under the centrifugal force of the rotating drive shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

A rotational atherectomy device uses a rotating abrasive head to cut or grind the atherosclerotic plaque from the walls of the blood vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

The one or more abrasive elements may comprise a cutting surface. The one or more abrasive elements may comprise an abrasive surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12558117B2Rotational atherectomy device

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 CLEASTREAM TECH LTD

AI summary

A rotational atherectomy device for cutting or abrading tissue. The atherectomy device comprises a rotatable drive shaft (120) having a longitudinal axis and comprising one or more internal guiding tracks (121) extending along the length of the drive shaft (120). The rotational atherectomy device further comprises one or more flexible shafts (111, 113) arranged to be longitudinally moveable along a respective internal guiding track, and an abrasive head (110) disposed at the distal end of the one or more flexible shafts (111, 113). The abrasive head (110) comprises one or more abrasive elements (111), each abrasive element connected to a respective flexible shaft (111, 113). The one or more guiding tracks (121) are arranged such that distal movement of the one or more flexible shafts (111, 113) causes the abrasive head (110) to move from a radially contracted configuration to a radially expanded configuration.