Thrombectomy Control Assemblies for Variable Vessel Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrombectomy devices are inefficient in removing large volumes of thrombus from large and/or tapered and/or branched vessels, with limitations in procedural duration and thrombus removal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A thrombectomy device with an elongated control member and a radially expansible member, such as a cage, that adjusts between contracted and expanded orientations, featuring a control mechanism with biasing and brake means to maintain radial force against vessel walls, allowing for effective scraping and collection of thrombus in varying lumen shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing thrombectomy devices are used to remove thrombus from large and/or tapered and/or branched vessels, then the device structure is simple, but the thrombus removal efficiency is low and procedural duration is long
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is designed with dynamic radial expansibility, allowing it to adjust its diameter between contracted and expanded states. The control mechanism enables the cage to expand radially to engage and scrape thrombus from vessel walls, then contract for retrieval. This dynamic adaptation allows effective thrombus removal from complex vessel geometries while maintaining manageable device complexity through controlled mechanical transformation.
2Productivity
If the radially expansible member is expanded to increase diameter for scraping thrombus, then the thrombus harvesting efficiency is improved, but the radial force control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism modifies the radial force parameter by using biasing means to generate outward radial force and brake means to resist and control this force. By adjusting the balance between biasing and braking forces, the system maintains optimal radial pressure on the vessel wall for effective thrombus scraping while preventing excessive force that could cause vessel damage. This parameter control enables efficient thrombus harvesting with manageable mechanical complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed to adapt to varying lumen shapes, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radially expansible cage provides dynamic adaptability to different vessel geometries including large, tapered, and branched configurations. By expanding radially, the cage adapts to larger vessel diameters; by contracting, it navigates tapered sections. The control mechanism enables on-demand radial adjustment, allowing the same device structure to adapt to various vessel shapes without requiring multiple specialized devices, thus achieving versatility with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple functions in a single unified structure: the radially expansible cage serves both as a scraping element for thrombus removal and as an adaptable framework that conforms to different vessel geometries. The control mechanism integrates both biasing and braking functions to manage radial force. This multi-functionality allows the device to handle large, tapered, and branched vessels with a single design, improving versatility while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate devices.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the radially expansible member maintains constant radial force, then the stability is improved, but the adaptability to different vessel sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism dynamically adjusts the radial force parameter based on vessel size and geometry. The biasing means generates a baseline outward force, while the brake means provides variable resistance to modulate the net radial force. This parameter adjustment allows the device to maintain stable, controlled radial pressure on smaller vessels while enabling greater expansion and reduced force on larger vessels, achieving both stability and adaptability through controlled mechanical parameter changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other. The control mechanism may be a biasing means, a brake means, or both.