Three-Catheter Thrombectomy and Stenting for Cerebral Occlusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for vascular occlusions in the cerebral vasculature often fail to differentiate between clots and stenosis, requiring multiple device changes and increasing the risk of releasing debris, and there is a need for systems that can efficiently address both conditions simultaneously to reduce procedure time and improve clinical outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A three-catheter system comprising a guide sheath, deployment catheter with a flexible region and integrated stenting device, and a microcatheter for thrombectomy, allowing simultaneous aspiration and stenting procedures with a single system, including a self-expanding stent and inflation device for vessel dilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheters and devices are used to treat both clots and stenosis, then treatment comprehensiveness is improved, but device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (thrombectomy and stenting) into a single integrated catheter system. The first catheter can perform both clot aspiration and stent delivery, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining comprehensive treatment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first catheter is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple functions: delivering the thrombectomy device, aspirating clots, and deploying stents. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive treatment through a single device rather than requiring multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple device changes are performed during treatment, then treatment flexibility is improved, but procedure time and risk of debris release increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated catheter system allows continuous treatment without removing the device from the vessel. The thrombectomy and stenting procedures can be performed sequentially within the same catheter, maintaining continuous presence and eliminating the time loss associated with device exchanges and reducing the risk of debris release during catheter manipulation.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate procedures for thrombectomy and stenting are used, then procedural precision is improved, but overall treatment efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges thrombectomy and stenting procedures into a single integrated system, allowing both functions to be performed through one catheter. This maintains procedural precision for each function while significantly improving overall treatment efficiency by eliminating the need for separate procedural passes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheters are used for simultaneous aspiration and stenting, then functional capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thrombectomy device is nested within the first catheter, and the stent is delivered through the same catheter system. This nested configuration allows multiple functions to be integrated into a single catheter structure, improving functional capability while minimizing system complexity compared to using separate catheters for each function.
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 system enables rapid and flexible treatment of both clots and stenosis, reducing procedure time and minimizing vessel trauma, particularly beneficial for stroke patients by ensuring efficient recanalization and stent implantation.
Implementation Method 1
An aspiration source can be in communication with the internal lumen of the sheath member and/or deployment catheter to remove the occlusive clot
Implementation Method 2
An inflation device and stenting device can circumscribe the flexible distal portion of the deployment catheter. The inflation device can be inflated to expand the stenting device across the stenotic lesion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A design capable of both mechanical thrombectomy and stenting for treating occlusions in the cerebral vasculature provides for a three-catheter setup. The first outer catheter has the largest diameter and can serve as a guide catheter while also being a sheath for the other catheters. The second deployment catheter can be configured for the aspiration of occlusions and can include a stepped or recessed section proximal of the distal tip that can act as a housing for a braided expandable stent. The outer diameter of this stepped section can be lined with an inflation device on top of which the braided stent sits. Internal to the second deployment catheter is a microcatheter which can deliver mechanical thrombectomy devices to the target site to retrieve an occlusion in the vessel, after which the stent can be expanded and implanted in the vessel.