Thrombus Aspiration Catheter With Self-Expanding Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy systems face challenges in effectively ingesting thrombi due to their narrow lumens and inability to engage both white and red thrombi, leading to incomplete recanalization and risk of thrombus detachment during catheter withdrawal.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first tube with a slidable second tube and a self-expanding receiver that expands radially to facilitate thrombus ingestion, allowing for a larger internal diameter for aspiration, with the receiver's proximal portion expanding to the first tube's inner wall to create a larger throat for thrombus removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a narrow aspiration catheter is used to access the vasculature, then the catheter can reach the target vessel, but the catheter cannot ingest large thrombi spanning the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the catheter into two separate tubes: a first tube that remains in the larger vessel for vacuum application, and a second narrower tube that can be advanced to the thrombus site. This segmentation allows each tube to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the contradiction between accessibility and thrombus ingestion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second tube is nested within the first tube, allowing the narrower tube to pass through the larger tube to reach the thrombus while the larger tube provides the aspiration force. This nesting configuration enables the system to maintain both small profile for access and large lumen for thrombus removal.
2Strength
If a stent retriever is used to mechanically engage the thrombus, then red thrombi can be captured, but white thrombi cannot be effectively engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical engagement mechanism of stent retrievers with a vacuum-based aspiration system. The vacuum force can act on both white and red thrombi without requiring mechanical interlocking, thereby achieving universal applicability across different thrombus compositions while maintaining effective removal capability.
3Force
If a balloon guide catheter is used to block blood flow at the ICA, then blood flow against the thrombus is reduced, but other vessels continue to supply blood and impede removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the thrombus through aspiration rather than relying solely on blood flow manipulation. By applying vacuum through the catheter system, the thrombus is actively drawn out, overcoming the continuous blood flow from collateral vessels that would otherwise impede removal.
4Area of moving object
If a self-expanding stent is deployed to expand the catheter mouth, then thrombus ingestion is improved, but the stent narrows to a smaller diameter than the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamically expandable distal end portion on the first tube that can transition from a compressed delivery profile to an expanded functional profile. This dynamic expansion allows the tube to maintain a large internal diameter at the distal end for optimal thrombus ingestion while remaining compact during delivery through the vasculature.
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
Enhances thrombus ingestion and recanalization success by providing a larger internal diameter for aspiration, reducing the risk of thrombus detachment and improving the likelihood of complete removal.
Implementation Method 1
a self-expanding receiver positioned at least partially within the second tube... such that when the second tube is moved proximally relative to the receiver, a distal portion of the receiver expands radially to contact the artery wall
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum source coupleable to the first tube such that the vacuum source can draw the thrombus through the first tube lumen for removal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for use in blood clot removal can comprise a first tube, a second tube slidable within the first tube, and a self-expanding receiver having a membrane and positioned at least partially within the second tube. When the second tube and a proximal portion of the receiver are positioned within a distal end portion of the first tube and the second tube is moved proximally relative to the receiver until a distal end of the second tube is positioned proximally of a proximal end of the receiver, the proximal portion of the receiver can radially expand and make contact with the distal end portion of the first tube and a distal portion of the receiver can radially expand such that it has an inner diameter that is at least 10% larger than an inner diameter of the first tube.