Expandable Mesh Thrombectomy System with Blood Reinfusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thrombectomy systems are ineffective in removing fibrous and calcified thrombi, fail to provide adequate distal protection against emboli, and result in excessive blood loss during procedures, particularly in larger vessels like the aorta.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a retrieval apparatus with expandable proximal and distal bodies made of mesh material, which can be axially moved along a delivery wire to capture and remove thrombi, and a blood reinfusion system with multiple filters to isolate and reinfuse filtered blood, minimizing blood loss and emboli release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional thrombectomy systems are used to remove thrombi, then thrombus removal is achieved, but blood loss is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood lossVSAvoidthrombus removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the thrombus removal process into distinct functional zones: a distal body for capture, a proximal body for containment, and an intermediate section for compression. This segmentation allows selective engagement with the thrombus while minimizing disruption to surrounding blood, thereby reducing blood loss while maintaining effective thrombus removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retrieval apparatus incorporates a filter member with specific pore sizes in the distal body that allows blood to pass through while retaining thrombus material. This local quality differentiation enables selective filtration at the thrombus interface, minimizing blood loss in the capture zone while maintaining thrombus removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional thrombectomy systems are used, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but distal protection against emboli is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemboli protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retrieval apparatus features a nested structure where the filter member is contained within the distal body, which is itself contained within the delivery catheter. The proximal body nests within the distal body when engaged, creating a compact nested configuration that provides emboli protection while managing system complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter member acts as an intermediary element between the thrombus capture zone and the bloodstream. It mediates the interaction by allowing blood to pass through while blocking emboli, providing distal protection without requiring a completely separate protection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If expandable mesh structures are used to capture thrombi, then thrombus capture effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus capture effectivenessVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distal and proximal bodies are designed as expandable mesh structures that transition from a compressed delivery state to an expanded operational state. This dynamic transformation allows the apparatus to maintain low profile during delivery (reducing complexity) while providing effective thrombus capture when engaged (improving reliability).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh structures of the distal and proximal bodies utilize flexible wireframe construction that can be compressed into a thin profile for delivery through catheters, then expanded to provide effective thrombus engagement. This flexible shell design reduces device complexity during delivery while maintaining capture effectiveness during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 system effectively removes fibrous and calcified thrombi, provides optimal distal protection against emboli, and minimizes blood loss by using expandable mesh structures and a multi-filter blood reinfusion system.

Implementation Method 1

aspirating a mixture of the dislodged clot material and first blood from the vessel with the first suction source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

filtering the mixture to isolate the blood

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240016505A1Systems, apparatus and methods for removing and filtering vessel occlusions to isolate blood for reinfusion into a patient

Publication Date: 2024.01.18 RETRIEVER MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A method for retrieving a mixture of clot material and blood from a vessel of a patient and isolating the blood from the mixture for reinfusion into the patient. The method including the step of providing a blood reinfusion system adapted to extract the mixture of clot material and blood from the vessel and isolating the blood for reinfusion into the subject.