RF Electro-Thrombectomy Device for Vascular Blockage Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for removing vascular blockages, such as thrombi, face challenges with high risks of vessel wall damage, blockage fragmentation, and incomplete recanalization due to inadequate control over drug dosage and lack of stabilization during removal procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of Radio Frequency (RF) electric current to strengthen the blockage and the blockage-device interface by increasing cross-linking density, allowing for more uniform strengthening and enhanced adhesion, thereby minimizing fragmentation and vascular damage during removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical thrombectomy is used to remove blockages, then recanalization rates are improved and treatment time window is extended, but blockage fragmentation and vascular damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies RF electric current to the blockage before mechanical removal to strengthen the blockage structure and increase adhesion to the device. This preliminary strengthening action prevents fragmentation during the subsequent mechanical retrieval process, allowing for effective recanalization without the harmful side effect of blockage fragmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the blockage by applying RF electric current, which alters the electrical and thermal parameters of the blockage tissue. This parameter change strengthens the blockage structure and enhances its adhesion to the device, transforming it from a fragile state that fragments easily to a stabilized state that can be retrieved intact.
2Productivity
If radial force is applied to capture blockage, then blockage removal is achieved, but vascular damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces pure mechanical radial force application with an electromagnetic field-based approach using RF electric current. This substitution allows for blockage stabilization and device-adhesion enhancement without requiring excessive mechanical radial force that would damage the vascular wall, thereby achieving blockage removal with reduced vascular trauma.
3Loss of time
If chemical thrombolysis is used, then treatment time window is reduced, but side effects and limited eligibility increase risk
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces RF electric current as an intermediary mechanism between chemical thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. This intermediary approach provides blockage stabilization and enhanced device adhesion, enabling safer and more effective mechanical removal with reduced reliance on chemical agents, thereby reducing side effects while maintaining an extended treatment time window.
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 RF electro-thrombectomy device effectively recanalizes blocked vessels with reduced risk of fragmentation and vascular damage, achieving high retrieval rates and minimizing the risk of embolization by stabilizing the blockage and enhancing adhesion between the device and the blockage.
Implementation Method 1
The RF electro-thrombectomy device conducts electrical current, such as RF electric current, to pass through a blockage in a vessel lumen
Implementation Method 2
increases the cross-linking density of components of the blockage, which increased cross-linking density increases the fracture resistance of the blockage
Implementation Method 3
electrical current passes through the blockage
Implementation Method 4
RF electric current to strengthen the blockage and the blockage-device interface
Data Source
AI summary
A device is designed to remove blockages in a lumen such as a thrombus, blood clot, or embolus. The device comprises a manipulating wire and a structure that can conduct electrical current to a lumen blockage. The electrical current is preferably in radio frequency (RF). The RF electric current in the blockage can excite the contents such as proteins of the blockage, so that cross-linking density and interfacial adsorption of the entire blockage is enhanced. The enhanced cross-linking density can result in increased fracture resistance of the blockage such that fracture of the blockage during the removal process is unlikely. The enhanced interfacial adsorption results in increased interfacial fracture resistance between the device and blockage so that the blockage can be securely captured during the removal process without using radially applied force.