Thrombectomy Mesh Pin Locking for Distortion-Free Catheter Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thrombectomy devices face issues with pin position changes during crimping, leading to lattice structure distortion, increased friction, and potential detachment, making them difficult to maneuver and prone to snagging in catheters, which compromises thrombus removal efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a lattice structure featuring pins that are pressed together across a surface area in a first longitudinal section to fix their cross-sectional position and positively connected in a second longitudinal section to secure their longitudinal position, using crimping, gluing, or welding, ensuring precise alignment and preventing undesirable movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pins are connected by crimp sleeves at distal end, then lattice structure is formed, but pin position changes randomly during crimping causing lattice distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidpin position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pressing the pins against each other over a surface area before the crimping process. This pre-compression prevents random position changes during crimping, ensuring pins maintain their intended positions throughout the assembly process and eliminating lattice distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pins are designed with self-aligning features where pressing them against each other over a surface area automatically positions them correctly relative to one another. This self-positioning mechanism eliminates the need for complex external alignment tools and ensures consistent pin positioning without additional manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If pins are firmly connected by crimp sleeves, then lattice structure is stabilized, but device complexity increases with multiple connection methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelattice structure stabilityVSAvoidconnection method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate connection functions into a single integrated approach. The pressing operation simultaneously achieves both the pre-compression needed for position stability and the final securing function, eliminating the need for separate connection mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The crimp sleeve is designed to perform multiple functions: it secures the pins in place and maintains their pre-positioned alignment. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall connection system by making a single component responsible for both stabilization and positioning tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If pins are pressed together to fix cross-sectional position, then tilting and distortion are prevented, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepin alignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a simpler pressing mechanism. By applying compressive force over a surface area, the pins self-align through geometric constraints rather than requiring complex mechanical guides or adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If lattice structure is made compressible for catheter loading, then device can be inserted, but frictional resistance increases between device and catheter wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter loading easeVSAvoidfrictional resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compression parameter by pressing pins together over a surface area, which optimizes the density and uniformity of the compressed lattice structure. This controlled compression reduces irregularities that would otherwise increase friction, allowing the device to be loaded into the catheter with reduced frictional resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4536110B1Medical device and production method
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 ACANDIS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4536110B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4536110B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4536110B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a medical device (10) for intravascular treatment, in particular a thrombectomy device (11), with an at least partially tubular mesh structure (12) which is convertible from a radially compressed state to a radially expanded state and has a multiplicity of cell-forming webs (13), wherein the mesh structure (12) comprises, at a distal end portion (14), at least two, in particular three or more pins (15) which are connected to the webs (13) and have a free end, wherein the pins (15), in a first longitudinal portion (16), are pressed flat onto one another at least in parts in order to fix the pin cross-sectional position, and/or the pins (15), in a second longitudinal portion (17), are form-fittingly connected to one another, particularly engaging in one another, in order to fix the pin longitudinal position.