Catheter with Serrated Grasping Mechanism for Thrombus Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interventional tools are inadequate for effectively removing large and organized embolic thrombi from the vasculature, as they often dislodge debris that is difficult to manage, with existing methods like balloon compression being invasive and risky, and fibrinolytic infusion being unreliable and associated with complications.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system comprising a capture/delivery sheath, a mesh capture sleeve, and a grasping mechanism with serrated fingers, used in conjunction with a distal occlusion balloon guidewire, to capture and break down embolic material into smaller pieces for safe removal, utilizing a telescoping mechanism and serrated edges to tear and reduce the thrombus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical embolectomy is used to remove tough embolic thrombus, then removal effectiveness is improved, but procedure invasiveness increases and complications arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus removal effectivenessVSAvoidprocedure invasiveness and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the thrombus removal function from open surgical embolectomy and transfers it to an interventional catheter-based system. The catheter captures and extracts organized embolic material through a minimally invasive percutaneous approach, eliminating the need for surgical opening while maintaining effective thrombus removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a catheter system with capture mechanism as an intermediary between the thrombus and the external environment. This intermediary device allows for controlled capture, containment, and removal of thrombus material without requiring direct surgical access to the vessel lumen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If balloon compression is used to address debris, then debris can be compressed against vessel wall, but debris may further embolize distally and procedure invasiveness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris compression capabilityVSAvoiddistal embolization risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful force of debris embolization into a beneficial containment process. The capture sleeve and grasping mechanism are designed to capture debris that would otherwise embolize distally, transforming the risk of distal embolization into an opportunity for controlled capture and safe removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of compressing debris against the vessel wall as in traditional balloon procedures, the invention inverts the approach by capturing debris within a containment sleeve and withdrawing it from the vessel. This reverses the traditional mechanical thrombectomy paradigm from compression to capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If mechanical thrombectomy catheters are used to remove debris, then mechanical removal is attempted, but debris is too tough for effective removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus removal efficiencyVSAvoiddebris removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the thrombus removal process into distinct functional components: the capture sleeve for containment, the grasping mechanism for secure grip, and the telescoping system for controlled deployment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling effective removal of tough organized thrombus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs dynamic, telescoping components that can extend and retract. The capture sleeve and grasping mechanism can be deployed beyond the sheath when needed to engage tough thrombus material, then retracted for withdrawal. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to the mechanical properties of organized embolic material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9149609B2Catheter for removal of an organized embolic thrombus

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 SURMODICS MD LLC

AI summary

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a catheter for removal of an organized embolic thrombus, preferably in conjunction with a distal occlusion balloon guidewire. The present invention consists of three main components including a capture/delivery sheath, a capture sleeve of mesh attached to a tube and a grasping mechanism attached to another tube which is central to the other components. Operative structures in the form of manifolds are connected to such components in order to manipulate and control the relative positions of the capture/delivery sheath, the capture sleeve and the grasping mechanism. An embolic thrombus is engaged by the deployable automatically expanding serrated fingers of a grasping mechanism in combination with a deployable automatically expanding mesh capture sleeve. The capture/delivery sheath is maneuvered to cause compression of the serrated fingers and of the mesh capture sleeve for subsequent removal of the embolic thrombus.