Expandable Mesh Device for Dislodging Vascular Obstructions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vascular medical procedures for treating obstructed blood vessels may cause mechanical trauma or ischemia due to remote deployment of occlusive devices, and temporary or permanent occlusion can lead to additional clotting and complications such as stroke or heart attack.

Innovation Solution

An expandable member made of mesh with interstices is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned adjacent to the obstruction, and expanded to exert radial force on the obstruction, dislodging fragments and enhancing blood flow, while selectively retaining fragments within the member to prevent downstream complications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an occlusive device is deployed remotely to block blood flow downstream of the treatment location, then the risk of obstruction fragments breaking free and flowing downstream is reduced, but mechanical trauma and irritation to the previously healthy portion of the blood vessel increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of downstream complicationsVSAvoidmechanical trauma to blood vessel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable member acts as an intermediary device positioned at the treatment location to mechanically fragment and retain obstruction fragments locally, eliminating the need for remote occlusive devices that cause mechanical trauma to healthy vessel portions downstream

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful occlusive device is extracted from the system and replaced with the expandable member that performs the fragment retention function directly at the obstruction site, removing the source of mechanical trauma to healthy vessel tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If temporary or permanent occlusion is used to block blood flow, then downstream complications from free-floating fragments are prevented, but additional clotting and ischemia occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of downstream complicationsVSAvoidadditional clotting and ischemia

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable member serves as a local intermediary that mechanically retains fragments at the treatment location through its mesh structure, preventing the need for downstream occlusion that would cause stagnant blood and additional clotting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable member converts the potentially harmful fragmented material into a beneficial retained mass that can be safely removed or degraded, transforming the hazard into a controlled situation without causing ischemia

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If a mesh structure with interstices is used to dislodge and retain fragments, then blood flow is enhanced through the vessel, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow enhancementVSAvoidmesh structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh structure of the expandable member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it mechanically fragments obstructions through radial expansion, retains fragments within its interstices, and allows enhanced blood flow through its porous structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh structure utilizes a porous configuration with controlled interstices that enables fragment retention while maintaining blood flow capability, achieving both fragment containment and hemodynamic function through a single material structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 expandable member effectively increases blood flow through obstructed vessels by dislodging and retaining fragments, reducing the risk of mechanical trauma and clotting, thereby minimizing the risk of further vascular damage and complications.

Implementation Method 1

An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction. The at least one fragment is selectively retained within the expandable member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment through mesh structure: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11090070B2Method and apparatus for increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUND

AI summary

A method of restoring perfusion to a blood vessel with an obstruction. The method includes delivering an expandable member into the blood vessel, said expandable member having a tubular mesh defined between a proximal end and a distal end; causing the expandable member to expand and compress the obstruction; and dislodging the obstruction to restore blood flow through the blood vessel.