Thrombus Engagement Tool with Helical Tip for Clot Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy procedures face challenges in effectively capturing a broad spectrum of thrombus types and reducing blood loss during the removal process, particularly due to excessive blood flow when the catheter tip loses contact with the thrombus, leading to premature termination of procedures and significant blood loss.
Innovation Solution
A clot capture module with a filter chamber and aspiration control valve, combined with a thrombus engagement tool featuring a helical thread tip, is used to visually inspect and mechanically engage thrombi, allowing for controlled aspiration and reduced blood loss by directing blood flow through a filter and using a rotatable core wire to engage and remove clots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large diameter thrombectomy catheter is used to aspirate thrombus, then the ability to capture thrombus is improved, but blood loss increases excessively when the catheter tip loses contact with the thrombus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the catheter tip characteristics (from large diameter to small diameter) while changing the engagement mechanism (adding rotatable core wire with engagement structures). This allows the system to maintain effective thrombus capture through mechanical engagement rather than relying solely on aspiration diameter, thereby reducing blood loss when the tip loses contact with the thrombus.
2Loss of substance
If a small diameter catheter is used to reduce blood loss, then blood loss is reduced, but the ability to capture broad spectrum of thrombus types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (rotatable core wire with engagement structures) that mediates between the small diameter catheter and the thrombus. This intermediary enables mechanical engagement and capture of various thrombus types despite the limited diameter of the catheter, thereby maintaining versatility in thrombus type capture while keeping blood loss reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the core wire rotatable, allowing the engagement structures to actively interact with and adapt to different thrombus types. This dynamic engagement mechanism enables the small diameter catheter to effectively capture a broad spectrum of thrombus types through rotational motion and mechanical engagement rather than passive aspiration.
3Device complexity
If aspiration is performed without mechanical engagement, then the procedure is simpler, but procedure time is limited due to excessive blood loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by mechanically engaging the thrombus with the rotatable core wire before performing aspiration. This preliminary mechanical engagement secures the thrombus to the catheter, preventing loss of contact during aspiration and allowing the procedure to continue for extended periods without excessive blood loss, thereby extending procedure duration.
4Productivity
If the catheter tip loses contact with the thrombus during aspiration, then aspiration flow increases, but blood loss becomes excessive and procedure must be terminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical engagement system (rotatable core wire with engagement structures) that maintains secure attachment between the catheter and thrombus even when the tip loses direct contact. This intermediary mechanism allows high aspiration flow rates to be maintained without excessive blood loss, as the engaged thrombus is mechanically secured to the catheter throughout the aspiration process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient capture and removal of thrombi with reduced blood loss, allowing for more effective thrombectomy procedures by visually monitoring clot accumulation and mechanically engaging clots within the thrombus engagement tool, thereby extending procedure time and improving outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
directing blood flow through a filter
Implementation Method 2
aspiration control valve... configured to block or permit the flow of incoming blood
Implementation Method 3
thrombus engagement tool featuring a helical thread tip... manually rotating the tip to engage clot between the tip and an inside wall of the lumen
Implementation Method 4
applying vacuum to the lumen to draw clot at least partially into the lumen
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing embolic material from a vessel with mechanical and aspiration assistance. The method comprises the steps of providing an aspiration catheter having a central lumen and a distal end, advancing the distal end of the aspiration catheter to obstructive material in a vessel, applying vacuum to the central lumen to draw clot into the central lumen, introducing a thrombus engagement tool into the central lumen, and manually manipulating the tip to engage clot between the tip and an inside wall of the central lumen.