Blood clot removal device, system, and method
A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from the vascular system of a patient is implantable in the patient's body. The blood clot removal device comprises a blood flow passageway, a filter provided in the blood flow passageway for filtering blood clots, and a cleaning device for cleaning the filter. By means of such blood clot removal device and system, the risk of blood clots reaching sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the brain, is reduced.
1. A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from the vascular system of a patient, the blood clot removal device being completely implantable in the patient's body and comprising:
a blood flow passageway,
a filter, provided in the blood flow passageway, for filtering blood clots, and
a mechanical filter cleaning device in contact with the filter, wherein said mechanical filter cleaning device is configured to:
remove blood clots from the filter by moving along the filter in a direction perpendicular to a side wall of the blood flow passageway to collect the blood clots at the side wall of the blood flow passageway, and
move the removed blood clots away from the blood flow passageway.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the filter cleaning device is adapted to move blood clots to at least one of;
a collecting volume adapted to collect blood clots that have been removed from the filter, and
a place free inside the patient's body.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the collecting volume comprises a bag.
4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the filter cleaning device is adapted to at least one of;
slice, push or scratch away any clots from the filter.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the filter cleaning device comprises a first piston which is provided with at least one of;
a first recess in an outer end portion of the first piston, and
a plurality of channels for accommodating the filter in an extended position of said first piston.
6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the first piston is adapted to be at least one of;
movable in a direction perpendicular to the blood flow passageway, and
taking away any blood clots from the filter during movement.
7. The device according to claim 5 , comprising at least one of;
a source of pressurized air controlling the movement of the first piston,
an electric motor controlling the movement of the first piston,
a solenoid controlling the movement of the first piston, and
a second piston provided across the blood flow passageway from the first piston.
8. The device according to claim 7 , wherein the second piston is at least one of;
movable in a direction essentially perpendicular to the blood flow passageway, and
spring biased in the direction of the first piston.
9. The device according to claim 7 , wherein an outer end portion of the second piston is provided with a second recess.
10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the blood clot removal device is adapted to be placed in the patient's abdomen, thorax, limb, retroperitoneal region or cephalic or neck region.
11. A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from the vascular system of a patient, the blood clot removal device being implantable in the patient's body and comprising:
a blood flow passageway,
a filter, provided in the blood flow passageway, for filtering blood clots, and
a mechanical filter cleaning device in contact with the filter, wherein said mechanical filter cleaning device is configured to:
remove blood clots from the filter by moving along the filter in a direction perpendicular to a side wall of the blood flow passageway to collect the blood clots at the side wall of the blood flow passageway, and
move the removed blood clots away from the blood flow passageway
wherein the filter cleaning device is adapted to move blood clots to a collecting volume adapted to collect blood clots that have been removed from the filter, wherein the collecting volume comprises a bag that has a storage capacity of more than 100 ml.
12. A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from the vascular system of a patient, the blood clot removal device being implantable in the patient's body and comprising:
a blood flow passageway,
a filter, provided in the blood flow passageway, for filtering blood clots, and
a mechanical filter cleaning device in contact with the filter, wherein said mechanical filter cleaning device is configured to:
remove blood clots from the filter by moving along the filter in a direction perpendicular to a side wall of the blood flow passageway to collect the blood clots at the side wall of the blood flow passageway, and
move the removed blood clots away from the blood flow passageway, wherein the filter cleaning device comprises a first piston.