Thrombus Extraction Device with Crushing Suction and Balloon Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thrombus removal methods, such as thrombolysis and surgical extraction, are inadequate for small blood vessel diameters and fail to completely remove thrombi adhering to vascular walls, posing risks and complications.

Innovation Solution

A thrombus extraction device comprising a thrombus suction assembly with a thrombus smashing cutter and a multi-lumen tube with an inflatable balloon, allowing the device to extend through small diameters and adhere to the vessel wall for complete thrombus removal, utilizing a guide wire for navigation and negative pressure suction for discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional mechanical thrombus removal devices are used, then thrombus can be removed from blood vessels with the same diameter as the catheter, but areas in blood vessels with diameters less than the catheter diameter cannot be reached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to reach different blood vessel diametersVSAvoidcatheter structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple functional segments: a collapsible catheter body, a separate crushing mechanism, and an extraction assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the catheter to collapse to small diameters while maintaining the functionality of larger components elsewhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter employs a dynamic collapsible structure that can change its diameter. The catheter body includes expandable and collapsible sections that allow it to adapt to different blood vessel diameters, collapsing to navigate small vessels and expanding to deploy the thrombus removal mechanism in larger vessels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional mechanical thrombus removal devices are used, then thrombus can be suctioned, but when the thrombus adheres to a vascular wall, the thrombus cannot be sucked all away, resulting in the thrombus still remaining on the vascular wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of thrombus removalVSAvoidthrombus removal mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple thrombus removal functions into a single integrated system: the crushing mechanism (with rotating blades or crushing elements) breaks up adherent thrombus, while the suction mechanism simultaneously removes the fragmented thrombus. This combination ensures complete removal of thrombus that is adhering to vascular walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces pure mechanical suction with a combined mechanical crushing action. The rotating crushing elements or blades mechanically break up the thrombus structure, converting strong adherent thrombus into smaller fragments that can then be efficiently removed by suction.

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

3Reliability

If thrombolysis by intubation is used, then thrombus can be removed, but it requires a long time and is not suitable for patients with a high risk of bleeding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety for bleeding risk patientsVSAvoidthrombus removal speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces chemical thrombolysis with a purely mechanical thrombus removal system. The crushing mechanism physically breaks up thrombus and the suction system removes it, eliminating the need for thrombolytic drugs and their associated bleeding risks while achieving rapid thrombus removal.

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

4Reliability

If conventional surgical thrombus extraction is used, then thrombus can be removed, but it is an invasive operation, which may easily damage the function of vascular valves, and is prone to wound complications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of vascular valve functionVSAvoidthrombus removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a guide wire as an intermediary to navigate the vascular system and deliver the thrombus removal catheter to the target location. This allows for precise positioning without invasive surgical exposure, protecting vascular valve function while enabling efficient thrombus removal through the catheter-based crushing and suction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables effective removal of thrombi from small blood vessel diameters and complete adherence to vascular walls, improving safety and reducing complications by utilizing a guide wire for navigation and negative pressure suction.

Implementation Method 1

the balloon can be closely attached to the inner wall of the blood vessels after being inflated, such that when it is pulled, the balloon can remove all the thrombus adhering to the blood vessel wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the thrombus suction head is configured to suck in and smash the thrombus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3892210B1Thrombus extraction device
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 SHANGHAI BLUEVASCULAR MEDTECH CO LTD
  • EP3892210B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892210B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3892210B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A thrombus extraction device (100) and a thrombus extraction method. The thrombus extraction device (100) is used for removing thrombus along a guide wire (200) and comprises a thrombus suction assembly and a thrombus extraction assembly, wherein the thrombus suction assembly comprises an outer tube (111), a transmission tube (112), a driving member (114), and a thrombus suction head (113); the outer tube (111) is sleeved outside the transmission tube (112), and one end of the outer tube (111) is connected to the thrombus suction head (113); the thrombus suction head (113) is used for sucking and smashing thrombus, and a thrombus smashing cutter (115) is provided in the thrombus suction head (113); two ends of the transmission tube (112) are respectively connected to the thrombus smashing cutter (115) and the driving member (114); the thrombus extraction assembly is used for pulling thrombus to the thrombus suction head (113) and comprises a balloon (122) and a multi-lumen tube (121) connected to the balloon (122); the balloon (122) can contract or expand after being filled with liquid, a liquid filling cavity (1211) used for filling the balloon (122) with liquid and a guide wire cavity (1212) used for allowing the guide wire (200) to extend through are provided in the multi-lumen tube (121); and the multi-lumen tube (121) extends through the transmission tube (112) and the thrombus suction head (113) sequentially and enables the thrombus extraction assembly and the thrombus suction assembly to move relatively in an axial direction.