Expandable Catheter Member for Thrombus Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical catheters lack an effective mechanism for radially expanding to engage and aspirate thrombi efficiently, leading to limited clot engagement and prolonged revascularization times.

Innovation Solution

The development of catheters with an expandable member that can transition between contracted and expanded configurations, featuring tensile-actuated axial prongs or a basket structure, and optionally magnetic elements, to radially expand and engage thrombi within blood vessels, allowing for improved clot engagement and aspiration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a catheter uses a self-expanding mechanism with little user intervention, then the ease of operation is improved, but the control precision and reliability of expansion are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable member is configured to self-expand upon deployment from the delivery catheter, eliminating the need for complex actuation mechanisms while maintaining reliable expansion through the inherent elastic recovery of the shape memory alloy material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition and temperature-dependent properties of shape memory alloy to enable automatic expansion without mechanical actuation, changing the material's physical state from constrained to expanded form

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the expandable member is made larger to engage thrombus more effectively, then the clot engagement is improved, but the ability to navigate through narrow vasculature is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot engagementVSAvoidnavigate through vasculature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable member is designed as a collapsible structure that can be segmented into a compact configuration for navigation through narrow vessels, then expanded at the target site to engage thrombus effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter system transitions from a static small diameter during navigation to a dynamic expanded state at the treatment site, allowing the structure to adapt its dimensions based on operational phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter structure is made more complex to enable controlled expansion, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the body's native temperature and the material's intrinsic shape memory properties to drive expansion, eliminating the need for external actuators, motors, or complex mechanical control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with a thermal-field-based expansion mechanism, using the temperature difference between the delivery system and body temperature to trigger controlled expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances clot engagement and aspiration efficiency, reducing revascularization time and improving success rates by providing a larger diameter for thrombus engagement and aspiration.

Implementation Method 1

the expandable member is formed from a shape memory alloy and the expandable member is configured to expand radially outward from a first diameter to a second diameter in response to a change in temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

the expandable member is formed from a superelastic alloy and the expandable member is configured to expand radially outward from a first diameter to a second diameter in response to a change in temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperelasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11918241B2Aspiration systems and methods, and expanding-mouth catheters

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

In some examples, a catheter includes an expandable member configured to expand radially outward from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable member is configured to be expanded and contracted in a controlled manner, e.g., in response to user actuation or automatically under the control of control circuitry of a device. For example, in some examples, control circuitry of a device can be configured to control the expandable member to expand and contract according to a predetermined expansion frequency or according to an expansion frequency determined based on a cardiac cycle of a patient.