Rotatable Connection for Endovascular Thrombectomy Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The curvature of blood vessels can cause medical devices used for endovascular interventions to rotate excessively, affecting the likelihood of successful thrombus retrieval and potentially damaging the vessel wall.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with an elongate manipulation member and an intervention member, where the intervention member is connected to the manipulation member via a connection mechanism that allows for rotation within a non-infinite range without deformation, enabling effective thrombus retrieval while minimizing vessel wall damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the intervention member is rigidly connected to the manipulation member, then the device structure is simpler, but the device cannot accommodate vessel curvature and excessive rotation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structureVSAvoidthrombus retrieval success

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the intervention member and manipulation member is divided into separate rotatable components (first connection member and second connection member) that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the device to accommodate vessel curvature by permitting controlled rotation while maintaining structural integrity for reliable thrombus retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the intervention member is rigidly connected to the manipulation member, then the device structure is simpler, but the vessel wall may be damaged due to excessive rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structureVSAvoidvessel wall damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into rotatable components that can independently rotate relative to each other. This allows the device to absorb rotational forces generated by vessel curvature, preventing excessive rotation that could damage the vessel wall while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connection allows rotation, then the device can accommodate vessel curvature, but the connection structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel curvature accommodationVSAvoidconnection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure incorporates dynamic rotatable components that can rotate relative to each other to accommodate vessel curvature. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to varying vessel geometries while the modular design keeps the complexity manageable through standardized rotatable joint mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the connection allows rotation, then the device can accommodate vessel curvature, but the rotation range must be limited to prevent over-rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel curvature accommodationVSAvoidrotation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable connection components are designed with inherent mechanical constraints that allow rotation within a controlled range sufficient to accommodate vessel curvature while preventing excessive rotation. This dynamic design provides adaptability to vessel geometry while maintaining ease of operation through self-limiting rotation mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12239335B2Rotatable connection between an intervention member and a manipulation member of an endovascular device

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A medical device, configured to perform an endovascular therapy, e.g., thrombectomy, can comprise an elongate manipulation member having a first connection member proximate a distal end of the elongate manipulation member, and an intervention member having a second connection member proximate a proximal end of the intervention member. The second connection member can be connected to the first connection member such that the first connection member can rotate relative to the second connection member.