Laser Thrombectomy Device With Vacuum-Assisted Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for removing blood clots often leave residual thrombus/fibrin material in the vessel, which can migrate and cause serious complications, and there is a need for a device that shields the clot removal element from the vessel wall and effectively removes residual material.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a tubular outer sheath having two lumens, a wire guide for delivery, a laser source with an optical fiber for ablation of the thrombus, and a vacuum port for removing the ablated residual material, where the optical fiber is supported by bars to maintain its position near the thrombus and the vacuum assists in removing the ablated material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical treatment with rotary cutting heads or rotor/stator homogenizing heads is used to remove blood clots, then the occlusion is reduced in size or a passageway is created, but residual thrombus/fibrin material remains within the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting and homogenizing mechanisms with laser ablation. The laser fiber delivers optical energy to selectively vaporize and remove thrombus material, converting a mechanical removal process into an optical/thermal process that achieves more complete clearance without leaving residual debris
Solution Approach 2:
The laser ablation process induces phase transitions in the thrombus material, transforming it from solid/semi-solid clot into vapor and gaseous products. This complete vaporization ensures total removal of the clot without leaving behind residual mechanical fragments or fibrin material
2Ease of operation
If sharp point devices are used to pummel the occlusion to form a hole through it, then a passageway is created, but residual material remains and may migrate to cause embolism, stroke, or heart attack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pummeling action of sharp point devices with controlled laser ablation. The optical energy selectively targets and vaporizes the entire thrombus mass rather than mechanically fracturing it, eliminating the creation of harmful residual fragments that could migrate and cause embolic events
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful complete fragmentation of clots into a beneficial complete vaporization process. By using laser energy to entirely destroy the thrombus structure rather than mechanically break it, the process eliminates the risk of residual fragment migration while still achieving effective clot removal
3Reliability
If the clot removal element is not shielded from the vessel wall, then direct contact can occur, but this may cause vessel injury or incomplete removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective sheath as an intermediary between the laser fiber and the vessel wall. This sheath acts as a protective barrier that allows the laser fiber to be positioned close to the thrombus for effective ablation while preventing direct contact between the fiber and the vessel wall, thus avoiding thermal injury to the vessel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality protection by providing shielding only in the specific region where the laser fiber contacts the vessel wall, while maintaining exposure in the region where the fiber needs to ablate the thrombus. The sheath provides selective protection: present where needed to prevent injury, absent where needed to allow effective treatment
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 device effectively ablates and removes thrombus from the blood vessel, reducing the risk of residual material migration and complications by using laser-induced ablation within the device's lumen and vacuum-assisted removal.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source disposed through the proximal end of the second lumen that has an optical fiber for ablation of the thrombus into residual material
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum port coupled to the proximal end of the second lumen for removing any ablated residual material
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel and a process thereof is presented. The device includes an outer sheath with a plurality of lumens. A wire guide inserted through one of the lumens is used to place the device proximate to a thrombus. An optical fiber placed through a second lumen uses laser input to ablate the thrombus in the distal portion of the second lumen near its distal end. A vacuum coupled to the proximal end of the second lumen is used to remove any ablated residual material. The second lumen may be pivoted around the first lumen to reposition the second lumen proximate to an area of the thrombus that has not yet been ablated.