Self-Expanding Catheter Tip for Clot Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices are inadequate for effectively removing acute blockages from blood vessels, such as clots, which can lead to conditions like ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism, due to limitations in accessing and retrieving clots within vascular structures.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system with a self-expanding distal tip and a clot retrieval mechanism that includes a polymeric membrane with low friction coating, a support frame, and a movable clot gripper, allowing for the expansion and contraction of the tip to accommodate and remove clots, along with a method for aspirating the clot through a controlled aspiration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a catheter with a self-expanding distal tip is used, then the ability to access and retrieve clots in complex vascular anatomy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into distinct functional segments: a collapsible distal tip for access, a body for structural support, and a clot retrieval mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while maintaining overall functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter employs a nested structure where the collapsible distal tip is contained within the catheter body during delivery, and the clot retrieval mechanism is integrated within the catheter structure. This nesting enables compact delivery while maintaining expanded functionality at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the distal tip is expanded to receive the clot, then the clot retrieval capability is improved, but the risk of dislodging the clot increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot retrieval capabilityVSAvoidclot dislodgement risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distal tip employs a flexible collapsible structure with a polymeric membrane that can gently expand to receive the clot without applying excessive localized force. The flexibility of the thin film structure allows it to conform to the clot shape while minimizing dislodgement risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The distal tip transitions from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded retrieval configuration dynamically. This controlled expansion allows the tip to adapt its size and shape to match the clot, improving retrieval capability while minimizing traumatic interaction that could cause dislodgement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a polymeric membrane with low friction coating is used, then the ease of moving the clot through the catheter is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot movement easeVSAvoidcoating precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The polymeric membrane's surface properties are modified by applying a low friction coating that changes the coefficient of friction parameter. This parameter change enables smooth clot movement through the catheter while the coating application processes are designed to achieve sufficient precision without requiring extreme manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables efficient retrieval of clots from blood vessels by expanding to receive the clot and aspirating it, reducing the risk of dislodging and improving access to occlusions in complex vascular anatomy, thereby facilitating effective treatment of conditions like ischemic stroke and pulmonary embolism.

Implementation Method 1

a catheter having a self expanding distal tip which is expansile from a radially retracted delivery configuration to a radially expanded configuration for reception of a clot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-expansion: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a polymeric membrane with low friction coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

an method for aspirating the clot through a controlled aspiration process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAspiration: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS10792056B2Devices and methods for removal of acute blockages from blood vessels

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 NEURAVI

AI summary

A catheter has an expansile tip that can be delivered in a constricted form. The increased tip diameter facilitates the aspiration and removal of large clot volumes by increasing the area of the catheter tip that applies aspiration to the clot. The tip comprises a support frame which can be cut from a metal or polymer tube, covered with a thin polymer sleeve 909 containing highly elastic properties. This construction provides good pushability and high compressive resistance. The cut pattern can contain axial connections of the support frame and ring members, which will provide a large level of axial support, lateral flexibility and hoop strength to withstand aspiration. The tip of the device can contain a section proximal of the highly flexible area that can expand to except clot. This potential to increase body diameter facilitates the retrieval of large volume clots while the construction of the catheter provides good column stiffness to avoid axial collapse and still maintain good flexibility.