Inverting Thrombectomy Tubes With Annular Bias for Jam-Free Deployment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical thrombectomy devices face challenges in deploying the distal end of the catheter between the tractor and puller, particularly in curved or tortuous body regions, leading to jamming and unsuccessful operation.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes an annular bias that holds the flexible tractor tube open, allowing the elongate inversion support catheter to be inserted between the tractor and puller, facilitating the rolling and inverting motion over the distal end of the catheter, even in complex vessel geometries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the distal end of the catheter is deployed between the tractor and puller in curved or tortuous body regions, then the thrombectomy device can be positioned at the clot location, but the device may jam and fail to operate successfully

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment of distal endVSAvoidoperation success

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A lubricious coating is applied to the distal end of the catheter to act as an intermediary substance that reduces friction and prevents jamming during deployment through curved or tortuous body regions, enabling successful operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tractor tube is made flexible to enable rolling and inverting motion, then the device can navigate curved vessels, but the tractor tube may collapse and jam on the catheter tip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation through curved vesselsVSAvoidprevention of jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tractor tube is constructed as a flexible tube that can roll and invert while maintaining structural integrity to prevent collapse and jamming on the catheter tip during navigation through curved vessels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The distal end of the catheter is configured with a curved or radiused profile that facilitates the rolling motion of the flexible tractor tube while preventing jamming, enabling the tube to navigate curved vessel anatomy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the distal end of the catheter is made softer to facilitate rolling motion, then the tractor can invert more easily, but the catheter tip may buckle under compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverolling and inverting motionVSAvoidcatheter tip stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is designed with non-uniform softness along its length, with the distal end being softer to facilitate rolling motion while more proximal regions maintaining sufficient stiffness to prevent buckling under compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4094699B1Inverting thrombectomy apparatuses

Publication Date: 2025.08.20 STRYKER CORP

Figure 1A~1D
Figure 1E~1H
Figure 1I

AI summary

Rolling tractor tube mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses that may be deployed from out of a catheter in situ are described herein. These apparatuses may be delivered out of a catheter from a collapsed delivery configuration within the catheter to a deployed configuration out of the catheter, in which the same catheter is re-inserted between a tubular tractor and an elongate puller. In particular, any of these methods and apparatuses may be adapted to work with a tractor tube having an open end that is biased open, including using an annular bias.