Nested Shape Memory Emboli Traps for Secure Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolus trap devices are inadequate in securely capturing and extracting blood clots and thrombi from body vessels during stenosis treatments, leading to potential emboli release into the bloodstream.
Innovation Solution
An embolus trap device with multiple filter baskets and collapse wires that can transition between collapsed and expanded states for delivery and emboli collection, featuring a delivery sleeve for controlled deployment and extraction, and an inflatable catheter for vessel expansion, ensuring secure capture and removal of emboli.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single filter basket is used to collect emboli, then the device structure is simple, but the emboli may be released during device extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple separate filter baskets (first filter basket and second filter basket) that work together to collect emboli. This segmentation allows each basket to contribute to emboli retention while providing redundancy, so that emboli are less likely to be released during extraction compared to a single basket design.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter baskets are nested within a delivery catheter system, with each basket positioned sequentially along the catheter. The baskets can be deployed in a nested configuration and then expanded to collect emboli, providing both compact delivery and effective filtration.
2Reliability
If the filter basket is kept in expanded state to collect emboli, then emboli collection is effective, but the device cannot be extracted from the body vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The filter baskets are designed to be dynamically changeable between expanded and collapsed states. During emboli collection, the baskets are expanded to maximize filtration surface area. During extraction, the baskets are collapsed to reduce profile and allow removal from the vessel. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between effective collection and easy extraction.
3Reliability
If the filter basket mouth portion is made large to allow emboli entry, then emboli collection is improved, but the device cannot pass through narrow vessel sections
Solution Approach 1:
The filter basket mouth portion is designed to be dynamically expandable. During delivery, the basket is collapsed to a small profile that can navigate through narrow vessel sections and the delivery catheter. Upon deployment, the basket expands to provide a large mouth portion for effective emboli capture. This dynamic size change resolves the contradiction between deliverability and capture effectiveness.
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 captures and secures emboli during angioplasty procedures, preventing downstream embolism by using a redundant filter basket design and bio-compatible materials for secure emboli retention and safe vessel interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The struts (70) are made from NITINOL with a transition temperature that is slightly below normal body temperature of humans
Implementation Method 2
The filter baskets (40, 50, 60) each preferably include an open, proximally-located lip portion (44, 54, 64) that selectively expand to receive the emboli (24)
Data Source
AI summary
An embolus trap device is provided. The embolus trap device consists of an outer catheter, an inner catheter, a plurality of filter baskets, and a plurality of basket collapse wires. The filter baskets are of different radius and are positioned along the inner catheter in order of increasing radius from the proximal to the distal end. The filter baskets increase in radius so that any embolic fragment that flows past each basket has a chance to be caught and secured by a filter basket distal to it. The filter baskets are separately collapsible by the plurality of collapse wires and are collapsed in proximal-to-distal fashion with the largest basket being closed last in order to capture embolic fragments that may emerge from the smaller baskets because of disruptions as they are closed.