Removable Blood Clot Filter with Sharp Edge Anchors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood clot filters are difficult to remove from blood vessels without causing traumatic damage, especially after the endothelium layer has grown over the anchor members, leading to risks of vessel rupture or complications during removal.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sharp edges on the hooks and anchor members of the filter to facilitate a clean tear or minimal injury to the endothelium layer during removal, allowing for safe extraction without causing significant vessel damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid hooks are used to secure the filter in place, then the filter stability is improved, but the vessel wall damage risk increases during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The hook structure is designed with non-uniform properties: the shaft portion has higher rigidity for stable anchoring, while the tip portion has lower rigidity to allow bending during removal. This local differentiation enables the hook to provide stable fixation when installed but bend safely to minimize vessel damage during extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change its mechanical properties based on operational phase. During implantation, the hook is rigid for stable anchoring; during removal, the tip becomes flexible to bend and reduce vessel wall damage, allowing the same structure to adapt to different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If the filter remains in place permanently, then the embolism protection is maintained, but the removal capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system transitions from a static permanent implant to a dynamic device with controlled removability. The hooks are designed with specific mechanical properties that allow them to anchor firmly during the protection period, then bend and release under controlled removal forces, enabling the filter to serve both permanent protection and controlled removal functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook design incorporates preliminary structural features (reduced tip rigidity, specific geometry) that are prepared in advance to enable future removal. This preliminary design allows the filter to maintain reliable anchoring during use while having the capability for controlled removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between permanent protection and removal versatility.
3Strength
If the hooks are rigid and do not bend, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the endothelium damage increases during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is designed with differentiated local properties: the shaft maintains high rigidity for strong anchoring, while the tip has reduced rigidity to allow bending during removal. This local quality differentiation enables the hook to provide strong anchoring strength while minimizing endothelium damage during extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook structure is segmented into functional zones with different mechanical properties. The shaft portion provides structural strength and anchoring, while the tip portion provides flexibility for safe removal. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
A removable blood clot filter includes anchor members with a sharp edge configured so that when the filter is removed the sharp edge aids in passing the anchor members through endothelial tissue. The filter may also include a sharp edge on locator members configured to aid pulling the locator members away from the endothelial tissue.