Rotating Separator Microcatheter for Simultaneous Thrombectomy Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for thrombectomy lack a safe and effective method to simultaneously apply irrigation, aspiration, and maceration, leading to issues such as embolization of clot pieces, vessel collapse, and inefficient clot removal, particularly in venous thrombectomy cases where continuous aspiration can cause massive blood loss.
Innovation Solution
A medical device that combines simultaneous irrigation, aspiration, and maceration using a balloon-mounted aspiration catheter and a filter-tip aspiration catheter, with optional vibrational wire for clot breakdown, to reverse flow and ensure clot pieces are removed from the body rather than embolizing distally, while maintaining vessel pressure with irrigation fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous aspiration is applied in venous thrombectomy, then clot pieces are removed from the body, but massive blood loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The aspiration is applied intermittently rather than continuously. The system alternates between aspiration phases (to remove clot pieces) and irrigation phases (to maintain flow and reduce blood loss), creating a periodic action that achieves clot removal while minimizing blood loss
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines irrigation and aspiration functions into a single integrated system. The irrigation catheter and aspiration catheter work simultaneously, with irrigation fluid replacing the blood removed by aspiration, thereby maintaining hemodynamic stability while achieving effective clot removal
2Quantity of substance
If irrigation alone is applied into the clot, then flow is maintained, but loose clot pieces are propagated distally into smaller arteries and capillary beds
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges irrigation and aspiration into a coordinated simultaneous action. While irrigation maintains forward flow to prevent vessel collapse, aspiration simultaneously captures loose clot pieces before they can embolize distally, resolving the contradiction between maintaining flow and preventing embolization
Solution Approach 2:
The aspiration catheter acts as an intermediary that intercepts clot pieces in the blood flow. By positioning the aspiration catheter tip at the clot site, it captures embolic material before it can be carried downstream by the irrigation-induced flow
3Productivity
If aspiration is applied to remove clot, then clot pieces are captured, but vessel collapse occurs due to vacuum
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines irrigation and aspiration in a coordinated manner where irrigation fluid is introduced to replace the volume removed by aspiration. This maintains intravascular pressure and prevents vessel collapse while allowing effective clot removal through the aspiration component
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation fluid acts as an intermediary that counterbalances the vacuum effect of aspiration. By introducing fluid at a controlled rate, it maintains vessel patency and prevents collapse while allowing the aspiration system to continue removing clot material
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 device safely and effectively removes thrombi by preventing vessel collapse and ensuring clot pieces are aspirated, reducing the risk of embolization and blood loss, thereby improving thrombectomy outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
using the present invention (particularly in the aspiration catheter, balloon mounted, and/or filter-tip aspiration catheter) with the addition of a vibrational wire in or distal to the catheter, to break up the clot to avoid the aspirating catheter becoming clogged with large pieces of clot
Implementation Method 2
The present invention provides a safe and reliable means of applying a simultaneous combination of irrigation, aspiration and maceration to a thrombi or similar material
Implementation Method 3
introduces fluids such as a saline solution to a target clot simultaneously with the remove of parts of said target clot to maintain pressure inside a vessel from which said target clot is removed
Implementation Method 4
The aspiration element removes both clot elements and excess fluid to prevent the vessel from exploding
Data Source
AI summary
The described invention provides several aspects designed to help mechanically break up a clot inside vessels and/or remove a clot via aspiration simultaneously. According to some embodiments, the devices are adapted to irrigate a blood vessel during thrombectomy; to macerate an obstruction during thrombectomy, to block blood flow in a blood vessel during aspiration of a thrombus; or to capture and remove distal emboli. With the described invention, when used to ameliorate arterial clots, irrigation and aspiration are performed simultaneously in conjunction with a balloon or occlusive catheter to reverse flow of the vessel. With the described invention, when used to ameliorate venous clots and most arterio-venous dialysis grafts, a filter-tipped aspirator is used downstream from the clot to capture and remove dislocated emboli.