Pulsing Aspiration Pump for Clot Removal and Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aspiration devices using single-lumen catheters have a low success rate in removing blood clots in a single pass, often leading to clogging and clinical complications due to the organized structure of clots, which requires multiple introductions and mechanical disruption.
Innovation Solution
A pulsing aspiration system with a liquid aspiration pump and an electrical motor that cycles between 1-100 Hz to disrupt and break down clots, preventing clogging and improving clot removal efficacy by increasing the flow and volume of removed materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous aspiration is applied through a single-lumen catheter, then fluid removal is achieved, but clot removal efficacy is limited and catheter clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed aspiration through the single-lumen catheter, where the pump delivers intermittent suction cycles rather than continuous aspiration. This pulsed action creates dynamic pressure changes that prevent clot material from adhering to the catheter wall, thereby reducing clogging while maintaining effective clot removal through the periodic suction force.
2Productivity
If larger aspiration catheters are used to improve clot removal, then more material can be removed, but catheter flexibility and kink resistance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compliant catheter construction that incorporates dynamic flexibility, allowing the catheter to bend and flex without kinking despite having a larger bore capacity. The catheter design includes flexible materials and structural features that maintain mechanical integrity while accommodating larger volume aspiration, enabling both high productivity and structural resilience.
3Productivity
If multiple catheter introductions are performed to remove clots, then complete clot removal is achieved, but procedural time increases and embolization risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsed aspiration mechanism enables more effective clot fragmentation and removal during each single catheter introduction, reducing the need for multiple introductions. The periodic suction cycles create mechanical disruption of the clot structure, allowing complete removal in fewer passes and thereby reducing procedural time and embolization risk associated with repeated catheter manipulations.
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 pulsing aspiration system effectively increases clot recanalization rates by inducing fatigue in clots, facilitating their removal and preventing catheter clogging, as demonstrated by experimental results with synthetic clots, suggesting improved performance for human blood clots.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical motor coupled to the power source and the aspiration pump
Implementation Method 2
using negative pressure that generally pertains to the movement of blood clots and other tissue caused by negative pressure
Implementation Method 3
The pulsing aspiration system effectively increases clot recanalization rates by inducing fatigue in clots, facilitating their removal
Data Source
AI summary
A suction pump system for aspirating fluids and other materials from a human body comprises a power source, an aspiration pump, and an electrical motor coupled to the power source and the aspiration pump, wherein the aspiration pump is pulsed at a frequency below 100 Hz.