Expandable Braided Thrombectomy Device Resists Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy devices are inadequate for effectively breaking up and removing blood clots and plaque from the vascular system, as they fail to provide sufficient methods for clot fragmentation, aspiration, and often suffer from device inversion during procedures, limiting their ability to restore patency quickly and safely.
Innovation Solution
The development of a thrombectomy device with a braided assembly that can be expanded to varying diameters, featuring a beveled distal end and a blocking element, which increases the aspiration area, applies scraping and macerating forces, and resists inversion, allowing for efficient thrombus dislodgement and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional thrombectomy devices are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the devices fail to effectively break up and remove blood clots due to insufficient aspiration area and lack of clot fragmentation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the thrombus removal function into multiple components: the braided assembly for mechanical fragmentation and scraping, the beveled distal end for initial clot engagement and maceration, and the aspiration catheter for suction removal. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific aspect of thrombus removal, improving overall efficiency without requiring a completely complex new device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces a radial dimension to thrombus removal through the expandable braided assembly that can be deployed outward from the catheter lumen. This allows the device to apply scraping and macerating forces from multiple directions around the thrombus, not just from a single axial direction, thereby improving fragmentation capability while maintaining a relatively simple catheter-based structure.
2Reliability
If conventional thrombectomy devices are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the devices suffer from inversion during procedures which limits their ability to restore patency
Solution Approach 1:
The device prevents inversion by designing the braided assembly with a fixed attachment point at the distal end and a slidable collar that can only move in one direction (proximally) along the retrieval device. This unidirectional movement constraint ensures the braided assembly cannot invert or fold back on itself during retrieval, maintaining device stability and predictability during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the mechanical parameters of the braided assembly by allowing controlled expansion to different outer diameters through tensioning the activation wire. This parameter adjustment enables the device to adapt to different vessel sizes and thrombus characteristics while maintaining structural integrity and preventing inversion through the constrained movement mechanism.
3Productivity
If the aspiration area is increased to improve thrombus removal, then the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the aspiration function with the braided assembly by integrating the assembly within the catheter lumen and using the same suction force to pull fragmented thrombus through the catheter. This combining of functions allows the device to achieve effective thrombus removal without requiring separate complex aspiration mechanisms, as the braided assembly itself facilitates thrombus engagement and the catheter provides both structural support and suction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for performing thrombectomy procedures are disclosed herein. The devices can include an aspiration catheter which optionally has a beveled distal end. The aspiration catheter is advanced to a position adjacent a thrombus. A blocking element can be expanded near the distal end of the aspiration catheter to block fluid flow during the procedure. The devices can include a thrombus retrieval device supporting a braided assembly that grips and facilitates removal of the thrombus. The braided assembly is expandable to a range of expanded outer diameters by varying the level of tension in an activation wire attached thereto. An expander can be deployed beneath the braided assembly to exert an outward expansion force upon the braid, thereby increasing the grip between the braided assembly and the thrombus. The braided assembly contacts the thrombus and the retrieval device pulls it proximally toward the aspiration catheter.