Percutaneous Vessel Occluder for Targeted Hemorrhage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling hemorrhage, such as tourniquets, are ineffective in targeting specific blood vessels and can lead to inadequate compression or excessive limb ischemia, resulting in significant blood loss in trauma cases.
Innovation Solution
A percutaneously deployable two-part occlusion device with cooperating occluder elements that can be precisely placed using ultrasound or tactile sensing, allowing for dynamic control of blood vessel occlusion to manage hemorrhage by compressing the vessel between a distal and proximal occluder, which can be adjusted for full or partial occlusion and easily removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional tourniquet is used to control bleeding, then blood loss from extremity injuries is reduced, but blood flow to the entire limb is limited causing ischemia and the device cannot target individual blood vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion device applies compression force locally to specific blood vessels at the injury site rather than circumferentially around the entire limb. The balloon element is positioned and inflated to occlude only the damaged vessel, preserving blood flow to surrounding healthy tissue and preventing limb-wide ischemia while maintaining effective hemostasis.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the occlusion function by using a movable balloon element that can be independently positioned and inflated at specific locations along the limb. This allows selective occlusion of individual blood vessels rather than uniform compression of the entire limb, enabling targeted hemorrhage control with minimal impact on overall limb perfusion.
2Reliability
If a tourniquet is applied to control hemorrhage, then major bleeding is reduced, but the device cannot target specific blood vessels within the limb
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon element is designed to be movable along the length of the catheter and inflatable to a controlled degree, allowing dynamic adjustment of the occlusion location and intensity. This enables the device to adapt to different vessel sizes, depths, and injury locations, providing versatile targeting capability while maintaining reliable hemorrhage control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows preliminary positioning of the balloon element at the target vessel location before inflation. This preliminary action enables precise targeting of specific blood vessels by advancing the catheter to the appropriate depth and securing the balloon at the injury site, ensuring accurate hemorrhage control at the intended location.
3Reliability
If full occlusion is applied to control bleeding, then hemorrhage is stopped, but clot formation may occur and tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion degree is made dynamic through controlled balloon inflation that can be adjusted between full occlusion and partial compression. This allows the operator to apply the minimum necessary force to control hemorrhage, reducing the risk of excessive tissue damage and clot formation while maintaining effective bleeding control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables parameter changes in occlusion intensity by varying the balloon inflation pressure and duration. This allows adaptation of the occlusion level to match the severity of bleeding, using lower pressures for minor hemorrhage and higher pressures only when necessary, thereby minimizing tissue damage and clotting risks while maintaining hemorrhage control.
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 provides a targeted and effective method to control major blood vessel hemorrhage, minimizing blood loss and tissue damage while allowing for adjustable occlusion to prevent clot formation, suitable for both military and civilian trauma scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The degree of occlusion can be dynamically and controllably varied between full occlusion or partial occlusion by varying the degree of applied compression by adjusting the degree to which the proximal and distal occluder elements are urged toward or away from each other.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides temporary occlusion devices and techniques that can be deployed percutaneously to temporarily occlude blood vessels including major blood vessels (e.g., arteries) as well as arteries within organs until specialized care can be obtained to surgically control massive hemorrhage following civilian or military trauma. The temporary occluders of the present invention may be used as an internal tourniquet focused on a specific target region or vessel as an alternative to a conventional tourniquet to control major extremity bleeding following trauma. The temporary occluders of the invention provide a more effective, reliable and highly targeted method to control major blood vessel hemorrhage. Furthermore, unlike a conventional tourniquet, the temporary occluder of the present invention may be used even in the presence of soft tissue injury.