Vascular Filter With Agitation Member for Emboli Breakdown
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vascular filters are susceptible to clogging with embolic material, which can lead to reduced or blocked blood flow, and existing thrombectomy devices are cumbersome, time-consuming, and may cause undesirable side effects such as stroke or pulmonary embolism, highlighting the need for improved devices to capture and remove blood clots effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vascular filter device with a filter body and an agitation member that captures emboli and breaks them down using mechanical forces, such as rotation or vibration, to prevent clogging and facilitate dissolution by the body's natural lytic system, while being anchored to the blood vessel wall to prevent migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing vascular filters are used to capture emboli, then the risk of pulmonary embolism is reduced, but the filter becomes susceptible to clogging with embolic material which can lead to reduced or blocked blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful embolic material from the blood flow by capturing it on the filter, then removes the captured material through the retrieval catheter system, preventing clogging while maintaining filtration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device is designed to be temporarily deployed to capture emboli, then retrieved and removed from the body along with the captured embolic material, discarding the harmful substances while recovering the filter for removal
2Productivity
If existing thrombectomy devices are used to remove blood clots, then clot removal is achieved, but the devices are cumbersome, time-consuming, and may cause undesirable side effects such as stroke or pulmonary embolism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtration function and the retrieval function into a single integrated device system, where the filter captures emboli and the same system retrieves them, eliminating the need for separate complex thrombectomy devices and procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device serves multiple functions: it filters emboli from blood flow, captures them on its surface, and can be retrieved along with the captured material, providing a multi-functional solution that replaces multiple separate devices
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 device effectively captures and breaks down emboli, reducing the risk of clot-related health issues like stroke and pulmonary embolism, while minimizing the risk of filter migration and side effects associated with existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
an agitation member that captures emboli and breaks them down using mechanical forces, such as rotation or vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for removing a vascular occlusion, such as a clot, from a blood vessel. A tubular sheath is inserted into the vessel and a self-expanding Nitinol mesh filter is deployed from a distal end of the tubular sheath at a location proximal to a clot. An inner catheter is advanced through the tubular sheath and through the mesh filter for contacting the clot. An expandable agitation element is provided along a distal end portion of the inner catheter for cutting or chopping the clot, thereby facilitating removal of the clot and improving blood flow through the vessel. Resulting clot particles are captured by the mesh filter. Negative pressure may be applied along a proximal end portion of the sheath for aspirating remaining particles. Certain embodiments of the method are well-suited for treating deep vein thrombosis and do not require the use of thrombolytic drugs.