Pulsatile Aspiration Catheter Flow Control to Limit Blood Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thrombectomy procedures face challenges in effectively capturing a broad spectrum of clot types and managing excessive blood loss during aspiration, particularly with large aspiration catheters, leading to premature termination and increased hospital stays.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum aspiration system with an aspiration catheter and control valve that provides a rapid burst of suction followed by a controlled reduction in flow rate to minimize blood loss, utilizing a clot container and adjustable flow paths to manage fluid aspiration efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large diameter aspiration catheters are used to remove thrombus, then clot removal efficiency is improved, but blood loss increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot removal efficiencyVSAvoidblood loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies periodic suction cycles with alternating high and low flow rates. During each cycle, high flow rate aspirates clot material while low flow rate reduces blood loss. This periodic variation in aspiration intensity allows effective thrombus removal while minimizing excessive blood loss that would occur with continuous high flow rate aspiration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the aspiration flow rate between high and low states during the procedure. The flow rate is not fixed but varies based on the aspiration phase - high flow rate is applied when clot engagement is needed, while low flow rate is applied to minimize blood loss. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between removing clot efficiently and minimizing blood loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If high flow rate aspiration is applied continuously, then clot removal speed is improved, but blood loss becomes excessive leading to premature termination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot removal speedVSAvoidblood loss

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic suction cycles that alternate between high flow rate phases for rapid clot removal and low flow rate phases to minimize blood loss. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high clot removal speed during high flow phases while controlling overall blood loss through low flow phases, preventing premature procedure termination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous aspiration action but varies the intensity. Rather than stopping aspiration entirely during low flow phases, the system continues the useful action of thrombus removal at a reduced intensity, ensuring that clot removal progresses continuously while blood loss is minimized during low flow rate periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If large diameter catheters are used for aspiration, then aspiration flow rate is improved, but blood loss rate increases to unacceptable levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaspiration flow rateVSAvoidblood loss rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts aspiration flow rate between high and low states. Large diameter catheters enable high flow rate aspiration when needed for effective clot removal, but the system transitions to low flow rate modes to minimize blood loss. This dynamic control of flow rate allows the system to utilize the high aspiration capacity of large catheters only when necessary, rather than operating continuously at high flow rates that cause excessive blood loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic suction cycles that alternate between high flow rate and low flow rate phases. During high flow rate phases, the large diameter catheter achieves high aspiration flow rate for effective thrombus removal. During low flow rate phases, blood loss is minimized. This periodic alternation allows the system to achieve high aspiration flow rate when needed while controlling overall blood loss rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system achieves reduced blood loss and improved clot removal efficiency by maintaining high flow rates for clot aspiration while minimizing blood loss, potentially reducing procedure duration and complications.

Implementation Method 1

A vacuum aspiration system with an aspiration catheter and control valve that provides a rapid burst of suction followed by a controlled reduction in flow rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20260053514A1Catheter system for treating thromboembolic disease having deep pulsatile suction with differential flow and method of using same

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 IMPERATIVE CARE INC

AI summary

A vacuum aspiration system and methods of use are disclosed. The system and method can be configured to provide deep pulsatile suction to a catheter body to more efficiently aspirate a clot material from a patient. In some embodiments, a deep pulse can include a rapid increase in flow rate of the fluid through the catheter body to a sustained high flow rate range for a short period of time followed by a rapid decrease in the flow rate to a low or negligible flow rate level to minimize blood loss without any changes to the suction pressure being applied to the catheter.