Extensible Catheter With Expandable Sidewall Occlusion Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing vascular occlusions, such as thrombotic or embolic occlusions in cerebral arteries, are inadequate in ensuring complete removal, often leading to incomplete dissolution or fragmentation that can cause pulmonary embolism, and suction methods alone are insufficient for full occlusion clearance.
Innovation Solution
A microcatheter with expandable sidewall perforations and a source of suction is used to physically capture and retain occlusions or fragments, enhanced by a flexible, shape-memory material that adjusts between relaxed and extended states, and optionally assisted by inflatable members to form a seal and enhance suction effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatment solutions (thrombolytic agents) are used to dissolve the occlusion, then the occlusion may be partially resolved, but complete removal is not achieved and fragments may cause pulmonary embolism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes occlusion fragments from the vascular system using a microcatheter with suction capability. The microcatheter is advanced to the occlusion site, and suction is applied to extract fragments and the occlusion mass into the catheter lumen for removal, preventing them from causing pulmonary embolism.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcatheter serves as an intermediary device between the vascular system and the occlusion. It provides a controlled pathway to deliver treatment solutions and simultaneously acts as a suction device to remove fragments, mediating the interaction between treatment agents and the occlusion while preventing fragment dispersion.
2Productivity
If suction is used to remove occlusion fragments, then some fragments can be extracted, but complete occlusion clearance is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the microcatheter device: it combines the delivery of treatment solutions (thrombolytic agents, saline, etc.), the application of suction, and the physical capture of fragments into a single device. This integrated approach allows simultaneous treatment and removal operations, improving both productivity and reliability of occlusion clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcatheter employs dynamic suction capability that can be activated and deactivated as needed. The suction force can be adjusted to optimize fragment capture while maintaining catheter stability in the vascular system, enabling adaptive control during the occlusion removal process.
3Reliability
If the microcatheter is used to physically capture and extract the occlusion, then complete removal is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcatheter is designed as a multi-functional device that can deliver various treatment solutions (thrombolytic agents, saline, etc.), apply suction, and physically capture fragments. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single device, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate instruments, thereby managing device complexity while achieving complete occlusion removal.
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 method ensures more complete removal of vascular occlusions by physically capturing and retaining them against the microcatheter sidewall, minimizing the risk of embolism and enhancing the clearance process.
Implementation Method 1
enhanced by a flexible, shape-memory material that adjusts between relaxed and extended states
Implementation Method 2
A microcatheter with expandable sidewall perforations and a source of suction is used to physically capture and retain occlusions or fragments
Data Source
AI summary
A microcatheter system for removing an occlusion from a patient's vasculature, comprising an outer tubular member having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, wherein the central lumen and the outer surface cooperate to define a side wall radially therebetween, one or more perforations formed in the side wall of the outer tubular member near the distal end thereof, the one or more perforations being in fluid communication with the central lumen of the outer tubular member, an inner tubular member slidably positioned within the central lumen of the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member having a distal end extending distally from a distal opening in the outer tubular member; and, an extensible member having a proximal end affixed to the outer tubular member and a distal end affixed to the inner tubular member, wherein the inner tubular member is advanceable distally relative to the outer tubular member to expand the extensible member.