Expandable Clot Removal Device with Independent Element Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for removing occlusions, such as thrombi, from vessels have limitations including exclusivity to the vascular system, inability to handle large vascular structures, and inefficiency with calcified or organized material. Additionally, these devices often require pre-selection of device length and balloon size, leading to potential complications and incomplete occlusion removal.
Innovation Solution
A catheter-based device with an elongated member and expandable elements, where the handle includes manipulable interfaces to independently expand or contract the proximal and distal expandable elements. This allows for dynamic adjustment to match the size of the occlusion and improved capture efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current devices are designed exclusively for the vascular system, then they can effectively remove thrombi from vessels, but they cannot be used for extraction of material from ducts, ureters, urethra, or other anatomical features
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a basket element with radially extending arms that can be configured to engage with various types of occlusions across different anatomical locations. The handle mechanism and expandable elements are designed to work with multiple anatomical structures including vessels, ducts, ureters, and urethra, allowing a single device design to serve multiple functions rather than requiring anatomy-specific devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If current devices are not appropriate for use in large vascular structures such as aorta, vena cava and many peripheral vascular applications, then they can be simpler in design, but they fail to handle large vascular structures effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The device features expandable elements that can dynamically adjust their size and configuration. The basket element can expand to engage with larger occlusions in vessels like the aorta and vena cava, while maintaining the ability to navigate through smaller peripheral vessels. This dynamic adaptability allows the same device to handle various vascular sizes without requiring multiple specialized devices
3Reliability
If current devices have a wire structure that must incorporate into a thrombus to remove a clot, then they can provide a straightforward retrieval mechanism, but they provide poor distal protection from secondary emboli during thrombus extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the retrieval mechanism into separate functional segments: a basket element for capturing and containing the thrombus, and a handle mechanism for control and retrieval. The basket element can be configured to fully encapsulate the thrombus, providing distal protection from secondary emboli, while the handle provides the retrieval function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function
4Adaptability or versatility
If current devices require operators to choose a predetermined device length at time of device insertion, then the device can be simpler to manufacture, but the chosen device length might not match the size of the target thrombus once the operator is in the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates expandable elements that can dynamically adjust their dimensions to match the size of the target thrombus. The basket element and other components can be expanded or contracted based on the specific thrombus size encountered during the procedure, allowing precise size matching without requiring the operator to select a predetermined length. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures optimal device-thrombus size correspondence while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle. The handle has at least one actuation mechanism and at least one of the following applies: a) the first expandable member is coupled to the at least one actuation mechanism and is configured to be moveable relative to the second expandable member upon manipulation of the at least one actuation mechanism; b) the first expandable member is configured to mechanically expand or contract by manipulating the at least one actuation mechanism; c) the second expandable member is coupled to the at least one actuation mechanism and is configured to be moveable relative to the first expandable member upon manipulation of the at least one actuation mechanism; or d) the second expandable member is configured to mechanically expand or contract by manipulating the at least one actuation mechanism.