Twisting Lattice Structure for Secure Clot Anchoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrombectomy devices face challenges in securely anchoring and removing blood clots due to insufficient adherence of the lattice structure to the clot, particularly when transitioning through larger blood vessels, leading to a risk of clot detachment.
Innovation Solution
A compressible and expandable, circular-cylindrical lattice structure with peripheral segments of closed cells, where two adjacent webs have different flexibility, allowing the structure to twist during compression and expansion, enhancing anchoring by cutting into the clot radially and circumferentially, thereby improving locking within the clot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lattice structure uses uniform web flexibility, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but the anchoring capability in blood clots is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the flexibility of individual webs within the lattice structure. Specifically, alternating webs are designed with different flexibility characteristics, allowing certain regions to be more deformable than others. This local variation enables the structure to create effective undercuts and anchoring points in blood clots while maintaining overall structural integrity, thus improving anchoring capability without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by creating an asymmetric flexibility distribution pattern where alternating webs have different flexibility properties. This asymmetric design causes the lattice structure to deform in a controlled asymmetric manner during expansion, generating the undercut geometry necessary for secure clot anchoring. The asymmetric flexibility pattern transforms the uniform radial expansion into a differentiated deformation pattern that enhances mechanical interlocking with the clot.
2Reliability
If the lattice structure expands radially in a straight line, then the expansion is simpler and more predictable, but the anchoring into the clot is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the flexibility of individual webs within the lattice structure. Specifically, alternating webs are designed with different flexibility characteristics, allowing certain regions to be more deformable than others. This local variation enables the structure to create effective undercuts and anchoring points in blood clots while maintaining overall structural integrity, thus improving anchoring capability without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from simple radial expansion to a more complex three-dimensional deformation pattern. By incorporating alternating web flexibility, the structure not only expands radially but also creates circumferential offsets and angular deviations. This multi-dimensional deformation generates undercut geometries that extend beyond the simple radial direction, improving mechanical interlocking with the clot in multiple spatial dimensions.
3Reliability
If the connection points remain aligned in the longitudinal direction, then the structure maintains its circular-cylindrical shape, but the anchoring effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetry by creating an asymmetric flexibility distribution pattern where alternating webs have different flexibility properties. This asymmetric design causes the lattice structure to deform in a controlled asymmetric manner during expansion, generating the undercut geometry necessary for secure clot anchoring. The asymmetric flexibility pattern transforms the uniform radial expansion into a differentiated deformation pattern that enhances mechanical interlocking with the clot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the connection points to dynamically adjust their relative positions during expansion. The alternating web flexibility enables connection points to shift circumferentially relative to each other as the structure expands, creating a dynamic deformation pattern that adapts to the clot geometry. This dynamic behavior transforms the static circular-cylindrical shape into an actively deforming structure that optimizes anchoring contact.
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 lattice structure achieves improved anchoring and reduced risk of clot detachment by creating undercuts within the clot, ensuring secure extraction and handling during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
two webs which are adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction and are coupled to one another at a connection point are of different flexibility such that the web with higher flexibility is more deformable than the web with lower flexibility during the transition of the lattice structure from the expanded state to the compressed state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical device having a compressible and expandable, circular cylindrical mesh structure (10), which comprises circumferential elements (20) made of closed cells (15), wherein each cell (15) is delimited by at least four struts (11, 12, 13, 14), which are coupled to each other at connecting points (21, 22, 23, 24), wherein in each case two struts (11, 12, 13, 14) which adjoin one another in the circumferential direction UR of the mesh structure (10) and are coupled to one another at a connecting point (21, 22) exhibit differing flexibility such that the strut (11, 13) having the higher flexibility can be deformed more strongly than the struts (12, 13) having the lower flexibility during the transition of the mesh structure (10) from the expanded state into the compressed state, and wherein the struts (11, 13) having the higher flexibility and the struts (12, 14) having the lower flexibility are diagonally opposed from one another, respectively, such that two connecting points (23, 24) of the cells (15) arranged opposite one another in the longitudinal direction LR of the mesh structure (10) are offset from one another in opposite directions during the transition of the mesh structure (10) from the expanded state into the compressed state, wherein all cells (15) of a circumferential segment (20) are designed identically such that the entire mesh structure (10) twists at least in some sections during the transition from the expanded state into the compressed state. The invention further relates to a treatment system comprising such a device.