Thrombectomy Catheter Flow Directing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rheolytic thrombectomy catheters face limitations in achieving sufficient suction power for effective thrombus disruption and removal, particularly in treating mature, fibrous thrombi, due to suboptimal fluid dynamics and pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
A thrombectomy catheter design featuring an elongate body with axially and circumferentially advancing channels between outlets and inlets, utilizing a flow directing mechanism to enhance fluid flow velocity and create a focused suction stream, which increases suction power for a given volumetric flow rate, allowing for smaller catheter sizes or reduced flow rates without compromising effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional rheolytic thrombectomy catheters are used, then the device can disrupt thrombus and draw fragments out of the vessel, but the suction power is insufficient for effective treatment of mature, fibrous thrombi
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a circumferentially advancing channel that wraps around the catheter body, transforming the fluid flow from a simple axial path to a three-dimensional helical path. This dimensional change increases the fluid velocity and creates a more powerful suction stream that effectively treats mature, fibrous thrombi.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel is designed to advance circumferentially around the catheter body, creating a curved, helical flow path rather than a straight linear path. This curvature increases fluid velocity and pressure differential, thereby enhancing suction power for effective thrombus disruption.
2Power
If higher fluid velocity is used to increase suction power, then thrombus disruption improves, but the catheter size and flow rate requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the circumferential dimension to the channel design, the patent achieves higher fluid velocity and suction power without increasing the catheter's axial length or requiring higher volumetric flow rates. The helical path maximizes the use of available space within the catheter body.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel geometry parameters (circumferential advancement, helical angle, radial position) are optimized to maximize fluid velocity and suction power for a given catheter size and flow rate. This allows effective treatment without increasing device complexity or requiring larger catheters.
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 design achieves increased suction power and improved thrombus disruption and removal capabilities, enabling more rapid treatment and effective handling of mature thrombi by optimizing fluid dynamics and pressure distribution within the catheter.
Implementation Method 1
Increased fluid velocity near ports in a rheolytic catheter leads to reduced pressure creating the vacuum according to well known fluid dynamic principles
Implementation Method 2
Increased fluid velocity near ports in a rheolytic catheter leads to reduced pressure creating the vacuum according to well known fluid dynamic principles
Implementation Method 3
Rheolytic thrombectomy is yet another technique used to treat blood clots, and exploits the creation of a vacuum by high velocity fluid injected into and withdrawn from a body lumen in a patient to both disrupt a thrombus and draw its fragments out of the vessel
Implementation Method 4
receiving fluid pumped from the outlet to the inlet for suction disruption of the thrombus
Implementation Method 5
disrupting a thrombus within the body lumen via suction induced by a lowered pressure of the pumped fluid flowing between the outlet and the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A thrombectomy catheter includes a catheter body having first and second lumens formed therein, and a flow directing mechanism upon a distal body end forming a channel for conveying fluid between an outlet and an inlet fluidly connected with the first and second lumens. The channel axially and circumferentially advances about the catheter body, and is positioned between the outlet and inlet such that fluid conveyed by the channel enters a suction stream flowing to the inlet and entraining material of disrupted thrombus.