Integrated Embolic Filter Catheter for Simpler Cerebral Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolic protection devices for preventing cerebral embolism during catheter-based procedures are cumbersome, require multiple components and steps, and often necessitate multiple access sites, which can lead to patient injury and increased procedural complexity.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an embolic protection system with catheters or access sheaths, featuring a porous mesh filter that self-expands to capture emboli, allowing for reduced procedural steps and access sites, with the option to slide the filter along the catheter shaft and retract into a collapsed configuration for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current embolic protection devices are used, then embolic particles can be filtered, but the devices require multiple components and multiple access sites, increasing procedural complexity and patient injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The embolic protection filter is integrated directly onto the catheter shaft, merging two separate devices (filter and catheter) into one unified device. This eliminates the need for separate filter deployment steps and multiple access sites, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining embolic protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both the embolic protection filtering function and the interventional catheter function (delivery of valves, wires, or other tools). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated filter devices and reduces the number of access sites required
2Reliability
If an embolic protection device is deployed separately before the procedure, then embolic particles can be captured, but extra procedural steps and access sites are required
Solution Approach 1:
The embolic protection filter is pre-integrated onto the catheter shaft during manufacturing, so that the filtering capability is already in place before the procedure begins. This eliminates the need for separate pre-deployment steps and allows the filter to be ready for immediate use upon catheter insertion
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the filter and catheter into a single integrated device, the procedural steps are streamlined. The filter deploys automatically with the catheter, eliminating separate deployment actions and reducing overall procedural time while maintaining effective embolic particle capture
3Ease of operation
If a filter is integrated on the catheter, then procedural steps are reduced, but the catheter diameter may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed to nest along the catheter shaft when in a compressed state, similar to a telescoping structure. This allows the filter to be stored within the catheter's diameter constraints during delivery, then expanded at the target site to provide full filtering surface area without increasing the delivery catheter's overall diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The filter transitions from a compressed, low-profile state during catheter delivery to an expanded, functional state at the target site. This dynamic transformation allows the filter to maintain a small profile during navigation (avoiding diameter increase) while providing full filtering capability when deployed, simplifying the procedure without permanent diameter increase
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
This integrated approach minimizes extra procedural steps and access sites, maintaining catheter diameter and facilitating safer, more efficient catheter-based interventions by capturing emboli effectively while allowing for easy deployment and retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a porous mesh filter that self-expands to capture emboli
Implementation Method 2
The filter comprises a porous mesh material defining a collection chamber for captured emboli
Data Source
AI summary
Embolic protection elements are integrated with a catheter or access sheath for any catheter. A catheter with an integrated embolic protection element comprises a catheter shaft, an embolic filter slidably mounted on a distal portion of the shaft, a proximal stop for limiting the proximal movement of the embolic filter, and a distal stop for limiting the distal movement of the embolic filter. The filter comprises a porous mesh material defining a collection chamber for captured emboli and has a collapsed and a deployed configuration. The filter may be collapsed by an access sheath used with the catheter. An access sheath may comprise a tubular main body and an embolic filter mounted on the distal portion of the tubular main body. The embolic filter may evert into the central lumen of the sheath or may be constrained on the exterior of the sheath with a larger diameter outer tube.