Expandable Mesh Distal Element for Vessel Anchoring and Clot Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing occlusions from blood vessels, such as those during ischemic stroke treatment, face challenges with dislodged clot fragments causing further complications and the inability to reuse retrieval devices due to size or mobility issues in navigating tortuous anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system comprising a treatment device with an elongated member and an expandable distal element, which can anchor and stabilize within the blood vessel, facilitating clot retrieval by anchoring, aligning, and stabilizing delivery systems, and using aspiration to remove clot material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stent is deployed into the clot to push the clot to the side of the vessel, then blood flow is re-established, but the clot may dislodge and become trapped in smaller and more tortuous anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval device employs a nested structure where an inner catheter with a retrieval basket is inserted within an outer catheter containing a stent. The stent can be deployed first to push the clot, then the inner catheter with retrieval basket can be advanced to capture any dislodged clot fragments, providing a backup mechanism nested within the primary treatment device.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval basket acts as an intermediary device between the stent and the clot. After the stent pushes the clot, the retrieval basket can be positioned to intercept and capture clot fragments that may dislodge, serving as a mediating structure that prevents harmful clot migration while allowing the stent to perform its blood flow restoration function.
2Ease of operation
If the physician attempts to remove the stent while it is expanded against or enmeshed within the clot, then the clot can be dragged through the vasculature, but the device may be too large and/or immobile to move to the site of new obstruction caused by dislodged fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into separable components: an outer catheter with stent and an inner catheter with retrieval basket. After the stent is deployed and clot is pushed, the inner catheter with retrieval basket can be detached or advanced separately to follow the guidewire to new obstruction sites, while the outer catheter and stent remain at the original site. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to perform different functions at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a fixed, large-scale stent configuration to a dynamic, mobile retrieval basket configuration. The retrieval basket on the inner catheter can be advanced distally along the guidewire to track and treat new obstructions, while the stent remains stationary at the original site. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to changing procedural needs.
3Reliability
If tPA is injected into the bloodstream to break down the clot, then the clot begins to dissolve, but it takes time for the tPA to reach the clot and only begins to break up the clot once it reaches the clot material
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is deployed in advance to mechanically push the clot to the side of the vessel, creating immediate blood flow restoration. This preliminary mechanical action occurs before tPA can reach and dissolve the clot, providing immediate relief while the slower chemical dissolution process begins simultaneously. The preliminary mechanical intervention bridges the time gap until tPA becomes effective.
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 the ability to safely and effectively remove occlusions from blood vessels by stabilizing the treatment device within the vessel, reducing the risk of clot dislodgment and allowing for efficient aspiration of clot material, thereby improving the efficacy of occlusion removal procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the distal element comprising an expandable mesh having a compressed state for delivery to the treatment site and an expanded state
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 an expandable mesh is coupled to the distal portion of the elongated member via a connection assembly. In an expanded state, at least a portion of the mesh 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.