Synthetic Thrombus Composition for Realistic Thrombectomy Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal-based training models for thrombectomy procedures fail to accurately represent the diversity of human thrombi, and synthetic alternatives lack the ability to mimic different thrombus types and properties, posing challenges for effective training under real-world conditions.
Innovation Solution
A synthetically produced thrombus model using agarose or silicone rubber with adjustable properties, combined with reinforcing materials and additives, mimics the behavior of various human thrombi through additive manufacturing and varying compositions to simulate realistic scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If animal-based training models (porcine models) are used for thrombectomy training, then realistic thrombus behavior and vascular scenarios can be simulated, but ethical concerns arise and animal welfare is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates synthetic copies of thrombi using hydrogel materials that replicate the mechanical properties, fragmentation behavior, and visual appearance of real blood clots. These synthetic thrombus models are designed to mimic the complexity and variability of human thrombi without requiring animal subjects, thereby maintaining training realism while eliminating animal welfare concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrogel materials with adjustable physical and mechanical parameters including stiffness, elasticity, fragmentation characteristics, and visual appearance. By varying these parameters, the synthetic thrombus models can represent different thrombus types (red, white, mixed) and scenarios, providing diverse training conditions without using animal models
2Object-affected harmful factors
If simple synthetic thrombus materials (polyurethane, non-biological components) are used, then animal components are eliminated, but the diversity and variability of human thrombi cannot be represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydrogel materials whose physical and mechanical properties can be systematically adjusted through composition variations, crosslinking density, and structural design. This enables the creation of synthetic thrombi with different stiffness, elasticity, fragmentation patterns, and visual characteristics, accurately representing the spectrum of human thrombus types without using animal components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite hydrogel structures combining different materials and components to achieve complex thrombus properties. These composite materials can simultaneously provide structural integrity, appropriate mechanical behavior, visual realism, and controlled fragmentation characteristics, capturing the diversity of human thrombi while remaining entirely synthetic
3Ease of manufacture
If synthetic thrombus models with fixed properties are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to simulate different thrombus types and training scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydrogel materials and manufacturing processes that allow systematic variation of thrombus properties through controlled changes in composition, crosslinking, and structural parameters. This enables the production of multiple thrombus types with different mechanical and visual characteristics using standardized manufacturing approaches, maintaining ease of production while achieving training scenario diversity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal synthetic thrombus platform based on hydrogel technology that can be configured to represent various thrombus types and training scenarios. This multi-functional system uses core manufacturing processes that can produce different thrombus variants by adjusting material parameters, providing both manufacturing efficiency and training versatility
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
Provides a training environment that mimics the diversity of human thrombi, enabling standardized and realistic thrombectomy training without animal components, allowing for varied scenarios and improved training efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical properties of thrombi resemble viscoelastic polymers
Implementation Method 2
a gel-based material, in particular a hydrogel, is used as a starting material
Data Source
AI summary
Synthetic thrombus model for learning the surgical removal of a blood clot from a blood vessel using mechanical thrombectomy in a simulation of various stroke scenarios in a training model, which simulates a lifelike shape with a realistic feel of a human blood clot thereby that an elongated base body based on an elastically deformable main material with a Shore A hardness in the range of 0 to 10 is provided, the property profile of which at least with respect to hardness and fragmentation is improved by providing a material combination of the main material with at least one addition of an adhesive with 5 to 40 wt.-% and/or with a reinforcing material.