Sensorized Intravascular Occlusion Devices for Real-Time Clot Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for treating vascular conditions lack the ability to accurately measure the size, firmness, and composition of clots or occlusion devices within the body, leading to inadequate treatment outcomes and the need for multiple passes, and rely heavily on X-ray imaging for monitoring, which is undesirable for patients.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of sensors, such as length and pressure sensors, into medical devices like stentrievers and occlusion devices to measure characteristics of intravascular treatment sites, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis of clot composition and occlusion device compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fluoroscopy and X-ray imaging are used to monitor treatment devices and clot characteristics, then visualization of device placement is improved, but patient exposure to radiation increases and measurement precision of clot characteristics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radiological imaging systems (fluoroscopy and X-ray) with sensor-based measurement systems that use mechanical, electrical, or optical sensing elements integrated into the treatment device. These sensors directly measure clot characteristics such as length, firmness, and composition without requiring ionizing radiation, thereby eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary elements between the treatment device and the monitoring system. These sensors act as mediators that directly contact or sense clot characteristics and convert them into measurable signals, replacing the need for external imaging systems and providing direct measurement data without radiation exposure.
2Reliability
If multiple passes of clot removal device are performed to ensure complete clot capture, then clot removal completeness is improved, but treatment time increases and patient outcomes deteriorate due to clot fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback on clot characteristics (length, firmness, composition) during the removal procedure. This feedback allows the operator to immediately assess whether the entire clot has been captured, eliminating the need for multiple trial passes and enabling single-pass complete removal, thereby reducing treatment time and preventing clot fragmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary assessment of clot characteristics before and during the removal process through integrated sensors. By measuring clot length and composition in advance, the operator can properly size and position the removal device to ensure complete capture in a single pass, preventing the need for subsequent passes that would fragment the clot.
3Reliability
If follow-up imaging is performed at 6-12 months to check for aneurysm recanalization, then monitoring of treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient radiation exposure increases and compression data of occlusion devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the occlusion device to self-monitor its own compression status and the aneurysm's recanalization state through integrated sensors. The device continuously or periodically measures its own compression without requiring external imaging, providing ongoing monitoring data that eliminates the need for periodic radiation-based imaging follow-ups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces periodic radiological imaging (CTA or angiography) with continuous or frequent sensor-based measurement of occlusion device compression. This substitution uses mechanical or electrical sensing instead of ionizing radiation, providing ongoing monitoring of treatment effectiveness without radiation exposure.
4Illumination intensity
If static angiography or fluoroscopy is used to monitor treatment sites, then device positioning visualization is improved, but measurement precision of clot characteristics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary measurement elements that directly contact or sense clot characteristics. These sensors provide direct physical measurement of clot length, firmness, and composition, replacing indirect visualization through angiography and fluoroscopy, thereby achieving precise quantitative measurement rather than qualitative imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces radiological imaging systems with sensor-based measurement systems that use mechanical, electrical, or optical sensing principles. This substitution enables direct physical measurement of clot characteristics with high precision, eliminating the inability to accurately measure clot properties that limits radiological imaging.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to medical devices including occlusion devices, clot retrieval systems, and stents. More particularly, the medical devices described herein measure characteristics for intravascular treatment sites. The medical devices may include pressure sensors and/or length sensors that may be used to determine the effectiveness of the medical devices during or after treatment. These sensors may be particularly helpful when used on an occlusion device or a clot removal device.