Sensor-Guided Suction Catheter for Controlled Clot Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum-assisted thrombectomy systems face challenges such as excessive blood loss and difficulty in accurately identifying when the catheter tip is in contact with clot material, leading to premature procedure termination and inefficient clot removal, especially with hard clots.
Innovation Solution
The use of sensors integrated with suction catheters to detect clot material, providing real-time confirmation and control over suction and maceration, minimizing blood loss by automatically adjusting suction levels and macerator operation based on sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vacuum-assisted thrombectomy systems operate in unrestricted mode to remove clot material, then clot removal efficiency is improved, but blood loss increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors (acoustic, vibration, pressure, or flow sensors) that provide real-time feedback to the control system about catheter tip contact with clot material. The control system automatically adjusts suction levels based on this feedback, maintaining high suction when clot is detected and reducing suction when healthy blood is detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between efficient clot removal and excessive blood loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation through automated control algorithms that monitor sensor data and autonomously adjust suction parameters without requiring continuous manual intervention. This enables the system to maintain optimal performance while minimizing harmful blood loss automatically
2Ease of operation
If manual control is used to operate vacuum-assisted thrombectomy systems, then operational simplicity is maintained, but blood loss control becomes unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-regulation through automated control algorithms that monitor sensor data and autonomously adjust suction parameters without requiring continuous manual intervention. This enables the system to maintain optimal performance while minimizing harmful blood loss automatically
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time sensor feedback creates a closed-loop control system that automatically responds to changes in clot presence, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and adjustment while maintaining precise blood loss control
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the catheter tip is exposed to healthy blood at full flow during aspiration, then blood loss rate increases to 20-25 cc per second, but procedure termination is forced
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors provide continuous feedback about the material contacting the catheter tip, enabling the control system to distinguish between clot material and healthy blood. When healthy blood is detected, the system automatically reduces or pauses suction, preventing excessive blood loss while allowing the procedure to continue
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic or intermittent suction activation based on sensor detection cycles, applying suction only when clot material is detected and pausing when healthy blood is detected, thereby extending safe procedure duration while minimizing blood loss
4Strength
If macerator is used to break down hard clot material, then clot removal capability is improved, but catheter guidance and control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The macerator system is designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing the operator to activate and deactivate maceration function as needed. The automated control system coordinates macerator operation with suction activation, reducing complexity by managing macerator control automatically based on sensor feedback about clot presence
Data Source
AI summary
Described here are methods and apparatuses for removing a clot material from a patient. For example, an apparatus as described herein may include a flexible elongate body having a suction lumen, a first pair of sensors (e.g., electrodes), and a controller configured to identify a clot material based on signals from the first pair of sensors.