Separator Torque Monitoring for Safe Vascular Occlusion Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing occlusive material from blood vessels, such as thrombosis and atherosclerosis, are inadequate in safely and effectively addressing large or tough deposits without damaging the surrounding tissue, and often require additional anticoagulant drugs or have limitations in catheter-based interventions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for detecting different engagement conditions of a separator instrument using processing circuitry to modify its operation, incorporating a helical cutting instrument with adjustable edges and aspiration, to avoid damaging healthy tissue by monitoring torque values and adjusting operational parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If catheter-based devices use aggressive means like rotating blades or high pressure water jets to break up occlusive material, then the removal efficiency is improved, but the risk of damaging blood vessel walls increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval efficiencyVSAvoidvessel wall damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors torque during separator rotation and uses this feedback to detect engagement with occlusive material. When torque exceeds a threshold indicating contact with clot or plaque, the system automatically adjusts operational parameters to reduce cutting intensity, thereby preventing vessel wall damage while maintaining effective removal of occlusive material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as rotational speed and torque based on real-time torque measurements. When the separator engages with occlusive material, the system modifies these parameters to optimize cutting efficiency while preventing excessive force that could damage the blood vessel wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If catheter-based devices use small lumens for aspiration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to remove large volumes of occlusive material is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidvolume of occlusive material removed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the removal process into two stages: first, the separator mechanically fragments large clots into smaller pieces through controlled cutting; second, the aspirator removes the fragmented material. This segmentation allows the use of a smaller aspiration lumen while still effectively removing large volumes of occlusive material through the fragmentation step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces pure mechanical aspiration with a hybrid approach combining mechanical cutting (separator) and aspiration. This substitution allows the aspiration lumen to be smaller since the bulk of the material removal is achieved through the separator's cutting action rather than relying solely on high-volume aspiration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If devices fragment occlusive material into smaller pieces, then the removal completeness is improved, but the risk of fragment release into downstream vessels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval completenessVSAvoidfragment release

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the separator as an intermediary device that performs controlled fragmentation within the catheter lumen. The separator's cutting edges break up clots into manageable pieces that are immediately captured by the aspiration system, preventing fragment release into downstream vessels while achieving complete removal of the occlusive material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The torque monitoring system provides feedback that allows the operator to control the fragmentation process in real-time. By adjusting rotational speed and torque based on torque measurements, the system ensures complete fragmentation of occlusive material while preventing excessive fragmentation that could lead to harmful fragment release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 safe and efficient removal of occlusive material by differentiating between engagement with occlusive material and healthy tissue, reducing the risk of vessel damage and residual material release.

Implementation Method 1

A motorized separator is rotated to engage with the target substance. A torque value is measured to indicate an engagement condition.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentUS12611224B2Vascular occlusion detection from motorized separator torque measurement signal

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 PENUMBRA INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are presented herein for detecting different engagement conditions of a separator instrument of a system. Processing circuitry is used to establish a baseline of one or more operational parameters for the separator instrument. At least one deviation from the established one or more baseline operational parameters of the separator instrument is identified using the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is used to determine that the identified at least one deviation corresponds to at least one engagement condition of the separator instrument. An action is caused to be performed based on the determining by the processing circuitry.