Textile Thrombectomy Device with Shape Memory Bulbs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy devices are not gentle on fragile blood vessels and lack flexibility to navigate tortuous vessels, often requiring multiple devices for clot removal and relying on expensive components like laser-cut stents or separate embolic protection systems.
Innovation Solution
A textile structure-based mechanical thrombectomy device with self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube featuring varying slit patterns and shape sets, allowing for torsional rasping and deployment in small profiles without the need for separate embolic protection or balloon inflation, suitable for use in tortuous vessels and varying vessel diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser-cut stent-based mechanical thrombectomy devices are used, then clot removal capability is improved, but vessel wall damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible textile structure made of interwoven filaments instead of rigid laser-cut stents. This textile fabric can conform to the vessel wall and capture thrombus gently without causing mechanical damage, resolving the contradiction between effective clot removal and vessel wall protection
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes shape memory alloy filaments that change their mechanical properties in response to temperature changes. The filaments are rigid during deployment for effective thrombus capture but become softer at body temperature to minimize vessel wall damage, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter transformation
2Reliability
If multiple devices are used for clot removal, then thrombus capture effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The textile structure is designed to be universally applicable for thrombus capture in various vessel sizes and locations. The self-expanding bulbs can adapt to different diameters, and the device can capture thrombus of varying lengths, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining high capture effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple self-expanding bulbs along its length, each capable of independently capturing thrombus segments. This segmentation allows a single device to handle extended thrombus burdens that would otherwise require multiple devices, reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If separate embolic protection systems are used, then emboli filtering capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates embolic protection functionality directly into the thrombectomy device by incorporating a filter portion within the textile structure itself. This merging of thrombus capture and emboli filtering into a single integrated system eliminates the need for separate embolic protection devices while maintaining both functions
4Ease of operation
If balloon inflation is required for device deployment, then delivery control is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes self-expanding bulbs made of shape memory alloy that automatically expand to their functional configuration upon reaching the target location. This self-service deployment mechanism eliminates the need for time-consuming balloon inflation steps while maintaining precise delivery control through the delivery catheter system
5Adaptability or versatility
If device profile is reduced for small vessel access, then vessel compatibility is improved, but manipulation capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The device features a dynamic structure where the textile fabric can transition between a compressed low-profile state for navigation through small vessels and an expanded high-capacity state for effective thrombus manipulation. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its profile and manipulation capability based on the operational phase
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 device effectively captures and removes thrombi without damaging blood vessels, offering flexibility and adaptability for different vessel sizes, reducing the need for multiple devices and costly components, while providing visibility under X-ray fluoroscopy and filtering distal emboli.
Implementation Method 1
At least two of the plurality of wires include shape memory wires configured to change a shape of the textile structure in response to a change in temperature
Implementation Method 2
At least two of the plurality of wires include radiopaque wires forming at least two offset sine waves... providing visibility under x-ray fluoroscopy
Data Source
AI summary
Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.