Spectral Clot Characterization for First-Pass Thrombectomy Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy devices face challenges in selecting the right device for blood clots due to time constraints and increased costs and complications when the wrong device is chosen, necessitating a second attempt, which prolongs the procedure and increases risks.
Innovation Solution
A device using optical spectroscopy to differentiate between blood clots rich in red blood cells and fibrin, determining the clot type through spectral analysis and physiological parameters, enabling the selection of the appropriate thrombectomy device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If thrombectomy device selection is made without spectral analysis, then the procedure can start immediately, but the wrong device may be chosen leading to prolonged procedure time and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing spectral analysis of the blood clot before selecting the thrombectomy device. The system captures spectral data from the clot, analyzes it to determine clot composition (fibrin-rich vs. RBC-rich), and then selects the appropriate device based on this preliminary characterization. This ensures the correct device is chosen on the first attempt, avoiding the need for second procedures and reducing overall procedure time despite the added analysis step.
2Reliability
If spectral analysis is performed to characterize the blood clot, then device selection accuracy is improved, but the procedure time increases due to additional analysis steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical trial-and-error device selection with an optical/spectral analysis system. Instead of relying on mechanical assessment methods that require physical manipulation and observation, the system uses spectral imaging to non-invasively characterize the clot's biochemical composition. This substitution provides more reliable and accurate clot characterization, enabling confident device selection without requiring multiple attempts, thereby improving reliability while keeping time addition minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectral analysis system provides self-service by automatically characterizing the clot and guiding device selection without requiring extensive manual assessment by the operator. The system autonomously processes the spectral data, identifies clot type, and recommends the appropriate device, reducing the time burden on the operator and streamlining the decision-making process.
3Reliability
If multiple thrombectomy devices are kept available for second attempts, then treatment reliability is maintained, but costs increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by characterizing the blood clot spectrally before device selection, enabling the correct device to be chosen on the first attempt. This preliminary characterization avoids the need to have multiple expensive devices available for potential second attempts. By knowing the clot composition (fibrin-rich requiring mechanical disruption, or RBC-rich suitable for aspiration) in advance, the system ensures treatment success with a single device, substantially reducing costs while maintaining reliability.
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
Reduces treatment time, decreases costs, and minimizes patient risk by ensuring the correct thrombectomy device is chosen initially, avoiding the need for a second procedure.
Implementation Method 1
An optical microprobe is configured to illuminate a blood vessel with electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The optical microprobe has a pair of fiber optic strands configured for transmission spectroscopy to obtain the absorption spectrum generated by the components within the blood vessel.
Implementation Method 2
The optical microprobe has a pair of fiber optic strands configured for transmission spectroscopy to obtain the absorption spectrum generated by the components within the blood vessel. Because blood clots generate a detectable and unique spectrum, the presence or absence of the blood clot is determined by examining the blood vessel absorption spectrum.
Implementation Method 3
A device using optical spectroscopy to differentiate between blood clots rich in red blood cells and fibrin, determining the clot type through spectral analysis and physiological parameters
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for determining information relating to a suspected occluding structure. It is described to provide (210) a spectral resolving unit with at least one broadband radiation. The at least one broadband radiation comprises a first broadband radiation acquired from a region of interest within a vascular structure. An occluding structure is suspected to be located within the region of interest and wherein the first broadband radiation is associated with the suspected occluding structure. At least one spectrally resolved data set is determined (220) on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation, wherein the at least one spectrally resolved data set comprises a first spectrally resolved data set determined on the basis of the first broadband radiation. A processing unit is provided (230) with the at least one spectrally resolved data set on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation. The processing unit determines (240) information relating to the suspected occluding structure, comprising utilisation of the first spectrally resolved data set.