Thrombectomy Device with Distal Emboli Protector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for restoring blood flow in occluded cerebral arteries often take hours, are ineffective, and can lead to complications such as distal embolization due to failure in capturing thrombi, damaging vessel walls, and dislodging secondary emboli, which can occlude other vessels.
Innovation Solution
A vascular device comprising a frame with interconnecting members that exert a radial force and a protector with a mesh to capture emboli, designed to expand and conform to the vessel wall, preventing secondary emboli from traveling downstream during thrombus retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current thrombus removal devices are used, then thrombus removal is attempted, but secondary emboli are dislodged and travel downstream causing complications
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional segments: a frame for engaging and removing the thrombus, and a separate protector positioned distally to capture secondary emboli. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing secondary emboli from traveling downstream while maintaining effective thrombus removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector acts as an intermediary element between the thrombus removal process and the downstream vasculature. It intercepts and captures secondary emboli that may be dislodged during thrombus removal, preventing them from traveling to and occluding other vessels, thus mediating the harmful effect of secondary embolization.
2Ease of operation
If devices are designed to pierce through thrombus, then thrombus engagement is achieved, but vessel walls distal to thrombus are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is deployed to the distal position and expanded before the frame engages the thrombus. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier in advance, so that when the frame subsequently engages and removes the thrombus (potentially dislodging secondary emboli), the protector is already in place to capture them and prevent vessel wall damage and downstream embolization.
3Reliability
If thrombus removal takes significant time, then thorough removal is attempted, but blood flow restoration is delayed causing tissue death
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into a frame for thrombus engagement and a protector for secondary emboli capture, the system enables simultaneous performance of both functions. The frame can engage and begin removing the thrombus while the protector simultaneously captures any dislodged secondary emboli, eliminating the need for sequential operations and reducing overall procedure time while maintaining removal completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
A vascular device is provided that includes a frame attached to a distal end of a delivery wire. The frame includes a cylindrical body formed of a plurality of interconnecting members, the interconnecting members being configured to exert a first radial force against an inner wall of an anatomical lumen. The vascular device further includes a protector having a proximal end, a distal end, and a profile that tapers distally from a proximal cross-sectional dimension to a reduced distal cross-sectional dimension. The protector is coupled to a distal end of the frame via a plurality of connecting members, each of the members extending from a distal end of a corresponding interconnecting member and converging distally to form a taper. The connecting members are configured to exert a second radial force, less than the first radial force, against the inner wall of the lumen.