Vacuum Aspiration Control for Clot Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for clot removal from the vasculature often result in excessive blood loss and inefficiencies in removing occlusive materials, such as thrombi and atheroma, due to inadequate aspiration control and potential damage to blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum aspiration control system that monitors fluid flow through a catheter to automatically adjust aspiration techniques, including restricting or pulsing the vacuum, to differentiate between healthy blood and clot, thereby minimizing blood loss and enhancing clot removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous vacuum aspiration is applied to remove clot, then clot removal efficiency is improved, but blood loss increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic aspiration by automatically cycling the vacuum pump between on and off states based on detected flow conditions. When clot is detected (restricted flow), vacuum is applied; when blood is detected (unrestricted flow), vacuum is released. This periodic action maintains high clot removal efficiency while minimizing unnecessary blood loss during blood-only aspiration phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a flow sensor that continuously monitors aspiration flow rate and provides real-time feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts vacuum application - maintaining vacuum when clot is present (restricted flow detected) and releasing vacuum when only blood is present (unrestricted flow detected). This closed-loop feedback control optimizes the balance between clot removal efficiency and blood loss prevention.
2Productivity
If high vacuum pressure is applied to enhance clot ingestion, then aspiration effectiveness is improved, but vascular damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vacuum pressure levels based on real-time flow conditions rather than maintaining constant high vacuum. The vacuum pressure is high when clot is present (restricting flow) and low or zero when blood is present (unrestricted flow). This dynamic adjustment maintains aspiration effectiveness for clot removal while reducing vascular damage risk during blood-only phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vacuum pressure parameter dynamically based on detected flow conditions. When restricted flow (clot) is detected, high vacuum pressure is applied to enhance clot ingestion. When unrestricted flow (blood) is detected, vacuum pressure is reduced or eliminated to minimize vascular trauma. This parameter change strategy optimizes the balance between aspiration effectiveness and patient safety.
3Loss of time
If aspiration rate is increased to reduce procedure time, then treatment speed is improved, but blood loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor provides continuous feedback on aspiration flow rate and composition. The control system uses this feedback to maintain high aspiration rates when clot is present (restricting flow, indicating effective clot removal) and automatically reduces or stops aspiration when only blood is present (unrestricted flow). This feedback-controlled variable rate aspiration reduces total blood loss while maintaining efficient procedure pace.
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 system effectively reduces blood loss and improves the ratio of occlusive material to healthy blood removed, allowing for more complete clot extraction while minimizing vascular damage.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source in fluid communication with a distal portion of the connection tubing; a distal pressure sensor in fluid communication with a catheter tip
Implementation Method 2
a distal pressure sensor in fluid communication with a catheter tip; a proximal pressure sensor in fluid communication with the vacuum source
Data Source
AI summary
An aspiration thrombectomy system includes an aspiration catheter configured to accommodate fluid and having a proximal end and a distal end. The system includes connection tubing coupled to the aspiration catheter and configured to act as a common conduit for fluid communication. The system further includes controllable valves operable to control a level of pressure, and pressure sensors positioned downstream from the distal end of the aspiration catheter. A controller is configured to detect and identify pressure levels associated with an open flow state of the aspiration thrombectomy system, and to determine a vascular pressure level of the patient.