Self-Expanding Stent Retrieval with Real-Time Imaging Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical thrombectomy procedures face challenges in ensuring complete retrieval of clots in a single attempt without fragmenting, leading to potential complications from clot fragments lodging in smaller arteries, and lack effective monitoring for optimal stent integration and retrieval timing.
Innovation Solution
A vascular therapy device with a self-expanding stent and retrieval line, utilizing radiopaque markers and imaging to monitor geometric changes during deployment and retrieval, allowing for automated control of the retrieval process to ensure complete integration and controlled withdrawal of the clot, including robotic assistance for precise speed management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stent retriever is deployed in the clot and retrieved in a single attempt, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of clot fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time imaging to monitor stent geometry changes during deployment and retrieval, providing feedback to determine optimal retrieval timing when the stent is fully integrated with the clot, ensuring complete retrieval while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The stent is deployed and allowed to fully integrate with the clot before retrieval begins, using imaging guidance to confirm integration is complete, which prevents fragmentation during the subsequent retrieval operation
2Reliability
If the stent is deployed for extended time to ensure integration, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time imaging monitoring provides immediate feedback on stent integration status, allowing the operator to determine the exact moment when integration is complete and initiate retrieval, eliminating unnecessary waiting time while ensuring adequate integration
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual estimation of integration timing with automated or semi-automated imaging analysis to objectively determine when the stent has fully integrated with the clot, optimizing the timing without time loss
3Device complexity
If manual retrieval control is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of retrieval parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system provides real-time visual feedback on stent geometry and position during retrieval, enabling precise control of retrieval speed and timing without requiring complex automated control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system acts as an intermediary between the retrieval mechanism and the operator, providing real-time information about stent geometry changes and integration status to guide manual retrieval operations with precision
Data Source
AI summary
A vascular therapy device (10) includes a retrieval device (12) configured to deploy an associated self-expanding stent (2) in a clot and including a retrieval line (14) attached to the associated self-expanding stent. At least one electronic processor (20) is programmed to: receive a time sequence of images (35) of the associated self-expanding stent acquired during a thrombectomy procedure in which the self-expanding stent is deployed in a clot; perform image analysis on the images of the time sequence of images to determine a geometric change of the associated self-expanding stent deployed in the clot; identify an event occurring in the thrombectomy procedure based on the geometric change of the associated self-expanding stent deployed in the clot; and respond to the identification of the event by: outputting an indication (36) of the event; and/or controlling a robot (16) to perform an action in response to the event.