Rotating Micro Probe With Aspiration for Arterial Plaque Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for atherosclerosis, such as open-heart surgery, atherectomy, and stent installation, are costly, risky, or ineffective in removing both soft and hard plaque from arterial walls, leading to potential re-narrowing and further complications.
Innovation Solution
A micro probe with a needle tip and perimeter openings, attached to a guide wire in a catheter, capable of rotating and aspirating plaque using suction or a solution, and optionally incorporating a dry ice pellet or heating element for enhanced plaque removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open-heart surgery is performed to replace occluded artery, then artery patency is restored, but patient risk and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The micro probe extracts and removes plaque material directly from the arterial lumen through aspiration, eliminating the need for complex surgical interventions. The catheter-delivered probe selectively targets and removes occlusive material while leaving the arterial structure intact, thereby restoring patency with minimal patient risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro probe acts as an intermediary device delivered through a catheter to the occluded artery. This intermediary approach allows plaque removal without requiring open-heart surgery, reducing patient exposure to surgical risks while maintaining effective treatment capability.
2Reliability
If atherectomy is performed to shave calcium build-up, then hard plaque is removed, but the procedure is not applicable in every case due to insufficient traction
Solution Approach 1:
The micro probe is designed with multiple functional capabilities including aspiration for soft plaque, rotational cutting for hard calcium, and adjustable positioning. This multi-functionality allows the single device to address various plaque compositions and locations, significantly expanding procedure applicability beyond what traditional atherectomy can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro probe can be rotated by the guide wire and repositioned dynamically within the catheter to reach different arterial locations and plaque configurations. This dynamic capability enables the procedure to adapt to various anatomical scenarios, enhancing versatility across different patient cases.
3Reliability
If stent is installed to push soft plaque outward and open lumen, then blood flow is reestablished, but stenosis may occur leading to re-narrowing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing plaque outward with a stent, the micro probe extracts plaque material directly from the arterial lumen through aspiration. This removal approach clears the obstruction permanently without leaving a foreign body that could cause restenosis, thereby maintaining blood flow while extending the duration of artery patency.
Solution Approach 2:
The procedure uses a disposable micro probe that is advanced through the catheter, performs plaque removal, and is then withdrawn. This single-use approach eliminates the need for permanent stent implantation, reducing long-term complications while maintaining effective blood flow restoration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If micro probe with needle tip and perimeter openings is used, then both soft and hard plaque can be removed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro probe is segmented into functional zones: a needle tip for penetrating and disrupting plaque, perimeter openings for aspiration of debris, and a central lumen for fluid flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall device simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro probe merges multiple functions (cutting, aspiration, irrigation) into a single integrated device. By combining these functions in one probe rather than requiring separate instruments, the device achieves high versatility for handling different plaque compositions while minimizing the complexity of requiring multiple separate components.
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
Effectively removes both soft and hard plaque from arterial walls, minimizing invasive procedures and reducing the risk of re-narrowing, while being adaptable to various plaque compositions and locations.
Implementation Method 1
the pump can impel a solution through the catheter to the micro probe and aspirate the solution from the opening of the microprobe
Implementation Method 2
The opening can also contain a dry ice pellet that can be impelled by the pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a micro probe for plaque removal. In particular, the present invention is directed to a micro probe having a needle tip, an opening and perimeter openings for plaque removal. The micro probe is attached to a guide wire in a catheter and the catheter is attached to a pump. The needle tip is at the first end and the second end is attached to the guide wire and is insertable and retractable into the catheter. Each perimeter opening has a sharp edge and a blunt opposite edge and the micro probe can be rotated by the guide wire. The opening can also contain a dry ice pellet that can be impelled by the pump, or the pump can impel a solution through the catheter to the micro probe and aspirate the solution from the opening of the microprobe.