Inverting Tube Thrombectomy Apparatus for Tortuous Vessel Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical thrombectomy devices face challenges in accurately and easily navigating tortious vasculature to remove blood clots without compressing the distal end, leading to separation from the clot and difficulty in tracking within vessels.
Innovation Solution
The inverting tube thrombectomy apparatus, comprising an inner puller, an inverting flexible tube, and an outer inversion support catheter, which rolls and inverts to capture clots, reducing tension on the external portion of the flexible tube to maintain proximity and prevent separation, allowing for repeated clot removal without device retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the distal end of the inversion support catheter is compressed during clot capture, then the flexible tube can be pulled to invert and capture the clot, but the apparatus separates from the clot and tracking within tortious vessels becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the inversion support catheter by incorporating a compression-resistant distal end design. This modification allows the catheter to withstand compressive forces during the inversion process without collapsing or separating from the clot, thereby maintaining reliable proximity while enabling effective clot capture.
2Productivity
If the flexible tube is pulled to invert and capture clot, then clot removal is achieved, but tension on the external portion of the flexible tube causes separation from the clot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the flexible tube by selecting materials and designing a structure with appropriate elasticity and tension distribution characteristics. This allows the tube to invert and capture clots effectively while distributing tension forces to prevent separation and maintain ease of navigation within vessels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus is designed to capture clots in tortious vessels, then clot removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thrombectomy apparatus into distinct functional segments: an inversion support catheter with compression-resistant distal end, a flexible tube for clot engagement, and a pull mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to navigate tortious vessels, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Inverting tube thrombectomy apparatus for removing clot that are configured to prevent compression of the apparatus that may separate the distal end of the apparatus from the clot and may make it difficult to advance the apparatus to engage with the clot, particularly in a tortious vessel. The apparatuses and methods of using them described herein may be adapted to prevent tension in the flexible tube that is rolling and inverting over the distal end of the inversion support catheter when capturing a clot. Also described herein are inverting tube thrombectomy apparatus that are configured to reload either automatically or manually within the vessel to capture additional clot material.