Telescopic Tube Filter for Embolic Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtration devices in surgical settings, such as cardiovascular procedures, fail to capture particulates that can break away and enter the bloodstream, leading to catastrophic conditions like strokes and embolisms, as they do not effectively filter particulates flowing through the aortic arch into the descending aorta.
Innovation Solution
A filter system comprising telescopically arranged tubes with a foldable filter that expands to contact vessel walls, trapping particulates while allowing blood to flow, and is deployed from a collapsed to an expanded position to form a barrier within the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is positioned to cover connection points of vessels in the aortic arch, then cerebral embolic protection is improved, but particulates flowing through the aortic arch into the descending aorta are not filtered
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple segments or struts that can be independently positioned to cover both the aortic arch vessels and the descending aorta, allowing simultaneous protection against cerebral emboli and filtration of particulates in the descending aorta
Solution Approach 2:
The filter design extends from a two-dimensional planar structure to a three-dimensional volumetric structure that can envelop both the aortic arch vessels and the descending aorta, enabling comprehensive particulate capture in multiple spatial dimensions
2Reliability
If the filter is expanded to contact vessel walls for maximum particulate capture, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is nested within a delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing minimally invasive insertion through small access points. Once positioned, the filter expands from its nested state to its functional configuration, simplifying the deployment process while maintaining high filtration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The filter transitions from a static compressed state during delivery to a dynamic expanded state at the target site, allowing the device to adapt its configuration to the anatomical structure while maintaining simplicity in both delivery and deployment phases
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
The filter system effectively prevents particulates from entering the bloodstream, reducing the risk of catastrophic outcomes by maximizing particulate capture and ensuring blood flow, thereby enhancing patient safety during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The filter portion is movable from a collapsed, everted delivery and removal configuration to an expanded, generally non-everted deployed configuration in which the filter expands radially outward to engage the filter with an enclosing vessel wall
Implementation Method 2
The filter allows passage of blood cells and prevents the passage of emboli or thrombi through the body vessel
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1F
Figure 2A
AI summary
A filter system comprises an expandable filter, with a first end of the filter attached to an end of a first tube, and a second end of the filter attached to an end of a second tube. The tubes are arranged telescopically with respect to each other such that telescopic movement of the first and second tubes with respect to each other causes the filter to move between a first collapsed, position and a second expanded position, where the filter extends outwardly. The filter may be a folded-over member, when in the expanded position, or a spiraling member.