Vena Cava Filter Deployment and Retrieval via Catheter Eversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vena cava filters, both permanent and retrievable, face complications such as increased risk of recurrent deep vein thrombosis, filter occlusion, migration, and difficulties in retrieval, which can lead to adverse events and complications like perforation of the vena cava and pulmonary arteries.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for deploying and retrieving a vena cava filter using a catheter that maintains grip of the filter until deliberate release, prevents premature release, and facilitates retrieval via eversion, allowing the filter to be pulled into the same catheter system used for deployment, eliminating the need for jugular access and additional equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional vena cava filters are deployed to prevent pulmonary embolism, then PE protection is improved, but the risk of recurrent DVT increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePE protectionVSAvoidrecurrent DVT risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter design incorporates specific geometric parameters including an aspect ratio between 2:1 and 4:1, with strut thickness between 0.5-2.0mm and filter diameter between 15-30mm. These parameter optimizations balance the filter's ability to catch emboli with minimizing trauma to the vena cava wall, thereby reducing recurrent DVT while maintaining PE protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter employs composite construction combining radial support elements with circumferential filtration elements, creating a structure that provides effective emboli capture while distributing mechanical stress evenly across the vena cava wall, thus preventing both PE and reducing the risk of recurrent DVT

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If permanent filters are used to ensure long-term PE protection, then reliability is improved, but retrieval becomes impossible causing vascular damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term PE protectionVSAvoidvascular damage from irreversible placement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter incorporates dynamic retention mechanisms including shape memory alloy elements or phase-change materials that allow the filter to transition between deployed and retrievable states. The filter can be permanently retained through endothelialization if needed, or actively retrieved by applying thermal or mechanical energy to reverse the retention mechanism, eliminating the risk of irreversible vascular damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filter's retention properties are controlled by changing physical parameters such as temperature or applied force. At normal body temperature, the filter maintains its deployed state for PE protection, but when exposed to specific thermal or mechanical conditions during retrieval, it transitions to a retrievable state, allowing removal without vascular damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If retrievable filters are designed to allow removal, then vascular damage risk is reduced, but retrieval difficulties and complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevascular damage riskVSAvoidretrieval difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter design separates the retention function from the filtration function, with dedicated retention elements that can be independently activated or deactivated. This allows the filter to be easily retrieved by simply releasing the retention mechanism without affecting the filtration structure, making retrieval simple and complication-free

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter incorporates intermediary retention elements such as expandable anchors or magnetic components that mediate between the filter body and the vena cava wall. These intermediaries can be easily engaged or disengaged through minimal catheter manipulation, allowing simple retrieval without complex procedures or additional equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If filters are deployed with secure retention mechanisms, then PE protection reliability is improved, but retrieval requires additional equipment and procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter retentionVSAvoidretrieval system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter's deployment catheter is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both deployment and retrieval capabilities in a single device. The catheter can deploy the filter through standard mechanisms and then retrieve it using integrated grasping or engagement elements, eliminating the need for separate retrieval equipment and simplifying the overall procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10524892B2Method and apparatus for deploying and retrieving objects in a cavity

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 ADIENT MEDICAL INC

AI summary

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for deploying and/or retrieving an object (e.g., a vena cava filter) in a cavity (e.g., a vena cava) using a system configured to: (i) maintain grip of the unsheathed object in the cavity until deliberately released, (ii) prevent premature release of the object in the cavity, and/or (iii) facilitate retrieval by first everting said object, then withdrawing the object through a guiding catheter (e.g., retrieval via eversion).