Nested Capture Element for Thrombus Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolectomy devices for thrombus removal in vascular procedures often fail to fully contain the clot, leading to fragmentation and embolization risks due to incomplete exposure and challenging flow arrest, especially in complex vascular anatomy like the brain arteries.
Innovation Solution
A device with a capture element and filament system that deploys within a blood vessel to encase and remove thrombi, using a stent retriever to engage the clot and a filament to open and close the capture element, ensuring complete containment and reduced risk of embolization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing embolectomy devices are used to extract thrombus, then clot removal is achieved, but the thrombus is not fully contained leading to fragmentation and distal embolization
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested structure where an inner capture element (bag) is contained within an outer retrieval catheter. The capture element expands to envelop the thrombus completely, while the outer catheter provides structural support and containment during retrieval. This nested configuration ensures the thrombus remains fully enclosed throughout the extraction process, preventing fragmentation and distal embolization.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture element is constructed from flexible materials that can expand and contract to adapt to the thrombus size and shape. This flexible shell completely encases the thrombus, providing a barrier that prevents clot fragmentation while allowing the device to navigate vascular anatomy. The thin film structure maintains thrombus containment without requiring rigid structures that could cause mechanical damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If balloon-assisted proximal vessel occlusion is used to limit blood flow during clot removal, then distal clot fragmentation is minimized, but complete flow arrest in brain arteries is difficult due to extensive intracranial collaterals
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the thrombus as a complete unit from the vascular system without requiring flow arrest. By fully enclosing the clot within the expandable capture element before retrieval, the device eliminates the need for balloon-assisted proximal vessel occlusion. This approach works effectively even in complex vascular anatomy with extensive intracranial collaterals, as the thrombus is contained and removed in one piece without exposure to blood flow during extraction.
3Reliability
If the capture element is deployed to receive and contain material, then complete thrombus containment is achieved, but the device complexity increases with filament system and deployable structure
Solution Approach 1:
The capture element transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded retrieval configuration through controlled deployment. This dynamic transformation allows the device to maintain a low-profile delivery catheter while achieving full thrombus containment upon deployment. The expandable structure is actuated by pulling the catheter back, which causes the capture element to expand radially and envelop the thrombus, providing complete containment without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into functional segments: an inner capture element for thrombus containment, an outer retrieval catheter for delivery and support, and a filament system for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity. The capture element can be independently deployed and controlled, reducing the complexity of the overall device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A containing element is used to capture material in a blood vessel for removal. The containing element is positioned within a constraining catheter while it is advanced through the blood vessel. A filament is coupled to the containing element which assists in opening and/or closing the containing element.