Thrombectomy Cutter-Mesh Assembly for Chronic Thrombus Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter-based thrombectomy devices have limited success in removing chronic thrombus due to its transformation into a tougher fibrin and collagen structure, adhering firmly to the vein wall, and venous synechiae prevent optimal treatment by balloon angioplasty or stenting.
Innovation Solution
A device with an elongated member featuring a cutting portion and a capturing portion, where the cutting portion cuts obstructive material and the capturing portion collects it, both deployable from a low-profile state for delivery to a treatment site, allowing for effective removal of chronic thrombus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catheter-based thrombectomy devices are used to remove chronic thrombus, then the procedure can be performed, but the success rate is limited due to the tough fibrin and collagen structure of chronic thrombus
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting portion is divided into multiple cutting elements (e.g., three blades) arranged radially around the longitudinal axis, each capable of independently cutting the thrombus. This segmentation allows the device to effectively cut through the tough fibrin and collagen structure of chronic thrombus by applying cutting force at multiple points simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces traditional mechanical thrombectomy methods (such as balloon thrombectomy or aspiration) with a cutting mechanism. The cutting elements with sharp edges mechanically slice through the chronic thrombus, overcoming the limitation of existing devices that cannot effectively remove firmly adhered chronic thrombus.
2Reliability
If the cutting portion is deployed to cut chronic thrombus, then effective removal is achieved, but the device profile increases during delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting portion is designed to be collapsible onto the elongated member during delivery, creating a low-profile configuration that can navigate through the vasculature. Upon deployment, the cutting portion expands radially outward from the longitudinal axis, transforming from a compact nested state to an expanded cutting state.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting portion transitions dynamically between two states: a collapsed low-profile state for delivery and navigation through the body, and an expanded deployed state for cutting thrombus. This dynamic transformation allows the device to satisfy both the requirement for small delivery profile and effective cutting capability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional thrombectomy devices are used, then the procedure is simple, but they cannot effectively treat venous synechiae that prevent optimal balloon angioplasty or stenting
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting elements are positioned to selectively cut venous synechiae (fibrous trabeculae or membranes) that are locally present in the vein, while preserving the healthy vessel wall. The cutting portion can be deployed only where synechiae are detected, allowing targeted treatment without affecting the overall simplicity of the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple functions: it can cut chronic thrombus, remove venous synechiae, and prepare the vessel for subsequent angioplasty or stenting. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address multiple pathologies (thrombus and synechiae) that would otherwise require separate procedures.
4Reliability
If the cutting element extends radially away from the longitudinal axis in the deployed state, then cutting capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting portion integrates multiple cutting elements, a capturing portion, and the elongated member into a single unified device structure. The cutting elements are radially arranged around the longitudinal axis but are all supported by the same elongated member, reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate cutting catheters for each blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines cutting and capturing functions in a single integrated system. The capturing portion is positioned to collect thrombus fragments immediately after cutting, eliminating the need for separate thrombus removal devices and simplifying the overall procedural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, the present technology includes device for removing obstructive material from a blood vessel lumen. For example, the device can comprise an elongated member, a cutting portion carried by a distal region of the elongated member, and a capture portion carried by the distal region of the elongated member. The cutting portion can comprise a blade configured to separate at least a portion of the obstructive material from the blood vessel wall, and the capture portion can comprise a mesh structure configured to enmesh and/or capture at least a portion of the obstructive material.