Segmented Clot Retrieval Device for Small Emboli Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical thrombectomy devices for ischemic stroke treatment face challenges such as difficulty in precise positioning, inability to capture small emboli, large device profiles, risk of migration, and complications like hemorrhage, poor visibility, and lack of clot affinity, limiting their effectiveness in restoring blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A clot removal device with expandable segments that can articulate and conform to vessel contours, featuring larger struts and radiopaque markers, allowing for better clot retention and retrieval, and optionally combined with aspiration for enhanced clot removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter-type thrombectomy devices are used to collect and remove emboli, then embolus removal capability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of delivery increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple segments connected by articulation points, allowing each segment to independently articulate and conform to vessel contours while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation reduces device complexity by enabling modular design and easier delivery through tortuous vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates articulation points that allow dynamic movement and adjustment of segments during delivery and deployment. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to varying vessel geometries without requiring complex rigid structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining embolus removal effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If cork-screw guidewire devices are used to retrieve embolus, then simplicity of device structure is improved, but ability to capture small emboli and particulate matter deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses multiple segments with articulation points that can independently adjust to capture emboli of various sizes. This segmented approach maintains relative simplicity while enhancing the ability to capture small emboli and particulate matter through the flexibility and adaptability of individual segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Each segment of the device can be optimized with specific local characteristics to enhance capture capability for different emboli types. The articulation points allow localized adjustment to conform to the specific geometry of captured emboli, improving capture efficiency without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.
3Strength
If stent-like mechanical thrombectomy devices are used to retrieve embolus, then structural strength is improved, but ability to capture small emboli and prevent migration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the stent structure into multiple segments connected by articulation points, allowing each segment to independently capture and hold small emboli while maintaining overall structural strength. This segmentation prevents emboli migration by creating multiple retention points along the device length without compromising the stent's mechanical integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation points provide dynamic adjustment capability that allows the stent segments to adapt to the geometry of captured emboli, enhancing capture effectiveness for small emboli. This dynamic flexibility is distributed throughout the structure, maintaining strength while improving emboli retention capability.
4Reliability
If devices with large profile are used for thrombectomy, then embolus capture capability is improved, but ability to treat distal smaller diameter vessels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the overall structure into multiple smaller units connected by articulation points. This allows the device to maintain sufficient embolus capture capability through the collective area of multiple segments while being able to navigate and deploy in distal smaller diameter vessels where a single large-profile device would be incompatible.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation points enable dynamic compression and expansion of the device profile, allowing it to adapt to varying vessel diameters. This dynamic capability permits the device to achieve effective embolus capture in larger vessels while being able to conform to the smaller diameters of distal vessels for treatment.
Data Source
AI summary
A clot removal device has a segment that has two main struts that serve as a frame for holding a plurality of secondary struts. Each of the two main struts has a proximal end that is connected at a proximal point of the segment and extends along a generally circumferential path, with each main strut terminating at a separate connecting point that is distal from the proximal point. The connecting points are connected to each other to form a generally tubular structure defining an inner lumen. The plurality of secondary struts forms a lattice of cells, with each cell surrounded by four secondary struts. Two generally straight distal struts are connected to the lattice of cells at a distal end of the segment, and are connected to each other to form a distal point.