Expandable Engager Clot Retrieval Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clot removal devices face challenges in navigating tortuous blood vessels, causing vessel trauma and failing to effectively manage clot properties due to high radial force requirements and compression-induced dehydration, leading to increased friction and fragmentation risks.
Innovation Solution
A dual-layer clot retrieval device with an expandable engager that compresses the clot to displace it through inlet openings, minimizing compression and friction, and featuring radial force elements that adjust to engage and disengage the clot with reduced vessel trauma, along with anti-fragmentation features to prevent distal embolization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high radial force is applied to engage the clot, then clot removal effectiveness is improved, but vessel trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies high radial force locally at the clot engagement zone through the expandable basket structure, while the guide catheter and proximal device sections maintain lower force characteristics to protect the vessel wall. This localized force application allows effective clot engagement without causing excessive vessel trauma along the entire device path.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a compressed low-profile state during delivery to an expanded high-radial-force state during clot engagement. This dynamic transformation allows the device to minimize vessel trauma during navigation while maximizing clot removal effectiveness during the intervention phase.
2Ease of operation
If the device is made flexible to navigate tortuous vessels, then ease of navigation is improved, but radial force capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional segments: a flexible guide catheter for navigation, an expandable basket structure for clot engagement, and a rigidization mechanism. This segmentation allows the proximal portion to remain flexible for easy navigation while the distal engagement portion can provide high radial force when expanded.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable basket is nested within the guide catheter in a compressed state during delivery, allowing flexible navigation. Upon deployment, the basket expands outward to provide high radial force for clot engagement, effectively nesting the high-force structure within the low-profile delivery system.
3Productivity
If clot compression is applied to displace it through inlet openings, then clot removal efficiency is improved, but friction increases due to dehydration
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary mechanical disruption of the clot structure through the expandable basket engagement before attempting to withdraw it. This preliminary action breaks the clot into more manageable segments and reduces its adhesive properties, facilitating easier removal with reduced friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable basket acts as an intermediary structure between the withdrawal force and the clot. It distributes the engagement force across multiple contact points and provides a mechanical advantage system that reduces the frictional resistance during clot displacement through the inlet openings.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device structure is made complex to manage clot properties, then clot management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable basket structure serves multiple functions: it provides radial force for clot engagement, mechanically disrupts the clot structure, facilitates clot displacement through inlet openings, and prevents distal embolization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, managing clot properties without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 safe and efficient removal of clots in one pass with reduced vessel trauma and risk of fragmentation, maintaining vessel integrity and restoring blood flow effectively.
Implementation Method 1
compresses the clot to displace it through inlet openings, minimizing compression and friction
Implementation Method 2
featuring radial force elements that adjust to engage and disengage the clot with reduced vessel trauma
Data Source
AI summary
A device for removing clot from a blood vessel includes a shaft. An expandable framework of struts is fixedly coupled to a distal region of the shaft. The struts can be radially expandable from a first to a second radially expanded state in a deployed configuration. An actuation cable can be connected to a plurality of connections of the engaging framework of struts to apply an expansion force, by the struts, as the struts are actuated by the actuation cable from the first radially expanded state to the second radially expanded state. In the first radially expanded state, a distal end of the struts is spaced a first axial distance away from the shaft, and wherein in the second radially expanded state, a distal end of the struts is spaced a second axial distance, different than the first axial distance, away from the shaft.