Expandable Mesh Anchor for Clot Retrieval in Blood Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing clot material from blood vessels face challenges such as dislodged clot fragments causing further obstruction and the risk of clot being stripped from stents during withdrawal, leading to incomplete removal and potential downstream migration.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system comprising an elongated member with an expandable distal element that anchors and stabilizes within the blood vessel, facilitating clot retrieval by anchoring, aligning, and stabilizing delivery components, and utilizing aspiration to secure the clot for removal, while preventing downstream migration of fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stent is used to push the clot to the side of the vessel and re-establish blood flow, then blood flow restoration is achieved, but the clot may be stripped from the stent during withdrawal causing fragments to dislodge and block smaller distal vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval device is divided into multiple functional segments: a proximal grip portion for securing the clot, a distal anchor portion for stabilization, and a filter portion to intercept fragments. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing clot striping while maintaining blood flow restoration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the retrieval device and the distal vasculature. This filter acts as a mediator that captures and retains clot fragments before they can migrate to smaller vessels, thereby preventing the harmful effect of fragment dislodgement while allowing the primary retrieval function to proceed.
2Productivity
If the retrieval device is made larger to effectively grasp and retrieve the clot, then complete clot removal is achieved, but the device becomes too large and immobile to navigate to the site of new obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a proximal operational portion for clot engagement and a distal navigational portion for positioning. The proximal portion can be larger for effective clot grasping, while the distal portion maintains flexibility and navigability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing different parts of the device to have different size and flexibility characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a single-dimension size constraint to a multi-dimensional design where the proximal and distal portions have different dimensional characteristics. The proximal portion is larger for clot engagement, while the distal portion is smaller and more flexible for navigation. This dimensional differentiation allows the device to satisfy both completeness of removal and navigability requirements.
3Productivity
If the physician attempts to drag the clot through the vasculature into the guide catheter, then clot removal is achieved, but the clot may not adhere to the stent as the stent is withdrawn, particularly when passing through bifurcations and tortuous anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The filter portion is deployed and positioned in advance at the treatment site before the clot retrieval operation begins. This preliminary placement ensures that the filter is ready to intercept any clot fragments or loose clot material before they can dislodge during the withdrawal process, particularly when navigating through bifurcations and tortuous anatomy. The filter creates a secure zone that maintains clot-stent adhesion throughout the retrieval maneuver.
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
The system effectively retrieves clot material with reduced risk of downstream migration, ensuring complete removal and improved blood flow restoration by anchoring and stabilizing the clot within the vessel, enhancing the efficiency and safety of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
the distal element is configured to expand into contact with the blood vessel wall at the treatment site to anchor and/or stabilize the elongated member within the blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
utilizing aspiration to secure the clot for removal
Data Source
AI summary
Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by use of a distal element comprising an expandable mesh. a treatment device includes an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion configured to be positioned within a blood vessel at a treatment site at or near a thrombus. A distal element comprising a plurality of woven filaments defining a shaft at a proximal portion and a body distal of the shaft is coupled to the distal portion of the elongated member via a connection assembly. In an expanded state, at least a portion of the distal element is configured to be in apposition with the blood vessel wall at the treatment site to anchor or stabilize the elongated member with respect to the blood vessel. The distal element can be electrically coupled to an extracorporeal current generator.