Motorized Separator Torque Detection for Vessel-Safe Clot Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing occlusive materials from blood vessels, such as thrombosis and atherosclerosis, are inadequate in safely and effectively addressing large or tough clots without damaging the vessel walls, and often require anticoagulant drugs or have limitations in catheter-based interventions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for detecting different engagement conditions of a separator instrument using processing circuitry to establish operational parameters, modifying the device's operation to avoid damaging healthy tissue, by incorporating a rotatable and axially movable cutting instrument with torque measurement adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aggressive means such as rotating blades or high pressure water jets are used to break up tough clot or plaque, then the occlusive material can be fragmented and removed, but the wall of the blood vessel may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (torque, rotational speed, axial position) of the separator instrument based on real-time torque measurements. When torque exceeds a threshold indicating engagement with healthy tissue, the system automatically adjusts parameters to reduce aggressive action, thereby preventing vessel wall damage while maintaining effective removal of occlusive material
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time torque measurement feedback from the separator instrument to continuously monitor engagement conditions. This feedback loop enables the control system to distinguish between engagement with occlusive material (higher torque) and healthy tissue (lower torque), and accordingly modulate the instrument's operation to avoid damaging the vessel wall
2Productivity
If the separator instrument operates with high torque to effectively remove tough occlusive material, then removal efficiency improves, but the risk of damaging healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static operational parameters to dynamic, real-time adjustable parameters. The separator instrument's torque, rotational speed, and axial position are continuously modified based on live torque measurements, enabling the system to adapt its aggressiveness to match the actual engagement conditions and maximize safe removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements threshold-based parameter adjustment where operational parameters are modified when torque measurements exceed predetermined thresholds. This enables the system to operate at high torque when engaged with occlusive material (maintaining productivity) while automatically reducing torque when healthy tissue is detected (ensuring safety)
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
Enables safe and efficient removal of occlusive materials, including clots and atheroma, without damaging surrounding blood vessels, by dynamically adjusting operational parameters based on torque measurements to differentiate between engagement with occlusive material and healthy tissue.
Implementation Method 1
A signal comprising torque information for a motorized separator is received. The signal may be from a sensor coupled to a motor of the motorized separator.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are presented herein for detecting different engagement conditions of a separator instrument of a system. Processing circuitry is used to establish a baseline of one or more operational parameters for the separator instrument. At least one deviation from the established one or more baseline operational parameters of the separator instrument is identified using the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is used to determine that the identified at least one deviation corresponds to at least one engagement condition of the separator instrument. An action is caused to be performed based on the determining by the processing circuitry.