Intravascular Thromboembolectomy Device with Segmented Clot Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices for treating acute ischemic stroke, such as Stentriever devices and suction thrombectomy catheters, often fail to achieve complete recanalization of blood vessels, may take time, and can fragment clots, allowing debris to travel further in the cerebral circulation.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a central wire with multiple engaging elements, including distal, middle, and proximal engaging elements, and a flexible connection wire, designed to be introduced through a microcatheter to engage and remove occlusions from blood vessels, allowing for adjustable spacing between elements to maximize clot capture and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single engaging element devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but clot capture completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidclot capture completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the clot capture function into multiple segments by employing several engaging elements (distal, middle, and proximal) distributed along the central wire. Each engaging element independently contacts and captures clot portions, ensuring complete clot retrieval while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple passes of devices are used, then complete recanalization is achieved, but treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete recanalizationVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary action by positioning multiple engaging elements in advance along the central wire before encountering the clot. This pre-configuration allows the device to capture the entire clot in a single pass, eliminating the need for multiple passes and significantly reducing treatment time while ensuring complete recanalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Length of moving object

If engaging elements are placed close together, then device profile is reduced, but clot engagement capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice profileVSAvoidclot engagement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs dynamic spacing between engaging elements that can adapt during operation. The engaging elements are initially positioned at optimized distances to maximize clot engagement capability, while the flexible connection wire allows dynamic adjustment of spacing to maintain an acceptable device profile for navigation through cerebral vasculature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connection between engaging elements is used, then structural stability is improved, but vessel damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvessel damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a flexible connection wire to connect the engaging elements instead of rigid connections. This flexible connection maintains structural stability for effective clot capture while allowing the device to conform to vessel geometry and reduce the risk of vessel damage during navigation and operation in the cerebral circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3113697B8Intravascular thromboembolectomy device having a plurality of clot engaging elements
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 LIKEMARK MEDICAL

AI summary

A device and a method for increasing or restoring a flow in a body lumen are provided. The device and the method may treat conditions like a stroke by removing a clot from a blood vessel and/or reopen the vessel. The device may have a plurality of engaging elements, wires that can link at least two engaging elements, a central wire, and proximal control element. The positions of the engaging elements and the distance there between can be adjusted to ensure the engagement of the clot or occlusion.