Apparatus and methods for controlled clot aspiration
A sensor-controlled thrombectomy system includes an aspiration catheter, an aspiration pump, a collection canister, aspiration tubing, an external unit separate containing a medial portion of the aspiration tubing, a sensing unit within the external unit, and a controller that can utilize an algorithm to generate pressure pulses in the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system. During a thrombectomy procedure, the controller can operate the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system in a first mode to generate pressure pulses at a first pulse frequency to minimize blood loss while extracting a thrombus, detect, directly via the sensing unit, a first measure of flow through the aspiration tubing, and operate, automatically in response to the detected first measure of flow, the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system in a second mode to generate pressure pulses at a second pulse frequency, the second pulse frequency being an increased frequency relative to the first frequency to boost optimization for extracting the thrombus.
1 . A sensor-controlled thrombectomy system, comprising:
an aspiration catheter;
an aspiration pump configured to generate controllable levels of negative pressure to the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system;
a collection canister configured to be removably received by the aspiration pump;
aspiration tubing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to be coupled to the aspiration catheter, wherein the proximal end is configured to be coupled to the collection canister, and wherein the aspiration tubing is configured to provide fluid communication between the aspiration catheter, the collection canister, and the aspiration pump;
an external unit separate from the aspiration pump and the collection canister, wherein a medial portion of the aspiration tubing is configured to be situated within the external unit;
a sensing unit configured to directly detect flow in the aspiration tubing, wherein the sensing unit is situated within the external unit; and
a controller configured to utilize an algorithm to generate pressure pulses during a thrombectomy procedure, the controller being further configured to:
operate, via the algorithm, the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system in a first mode, wherein the first mode comprises generating pressure pulses at a first pulse frequency, and wherein the first pulse frequency is configured to minimize blood loss while extracting a thrombus;
detect, directly via the sensing unit, a first measure of flow through the aspiration tubing; and
operate, automatically via the algorithm in response to the detected first measure of flow, the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system in a second mode, wherein the second mode comprises generating pressure pulses at a second pulse frequency, wherein the second pulse frequency is an increased frequency relative to the first pulse frequency, and wherein the increased frequency boosts a level of optimization for extracting the thrombus.
2 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein the sensing unit comprises one or more acoustic flow sensors.
3 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more acoustic flow sensors are ultrasonic flow sensors.
4 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 3 , wherein the ultrasonic flow sensors in the sensing unit are capable of detecting when flow through the aspiration tubing is one of a plurality of flow states comprising an excessive flow state and a clogged flow state.
5 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate, via the algorithm, the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system in a plurality of modes, and wherein the plurality of modes comprises the first mode and the second mode.
6 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to change, via the algorithm, operation of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system between the plurality of modes in order to minimize blood loss during the thrombectomy procedure.
7 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 5 , further comprising one or more indicator lights associated with operation of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system.
8 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more indicator lights are configured to provide visual indications to a user of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system using a plurality of visual colors.
9 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more indicator lights are configured to provide a plurality of visual indications corresponding to a current mode of operation of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system.
10 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 9 , wherein a first visual indication is indicative of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system operating in the first mode and a second visual indication is indicative of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system operating in the second mode.
11 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first pulse frequency or the second pulse frequency are predetermined frequencies.
12 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first pulse frequency or the second pulse frequency are dynamic frequencies based at least in part on the sensing unit in the external unit.
13 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein the medial portion of the aspiration tubing within the external unit extends from a distal opening of the external unit to a proximal end of the external unit.
14 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein the external unit is configured to communicate electronically with the aspiration pump.
15 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein the external unit comprises one or more physical controls configured to be operated by a user of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system.
16 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 15 , wherein one or more of the physical controls of the external unit control switching one or more components of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system on or off.
17 . The sensor-controlled thrombectomy system of claim 1 , wherein the aspiration pump comprises one or more physical controls configured to be operated by a user of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system.
18 . A dynamic aspiration method associated with a sensor-controlled thrombectomy system comprising an aspiration catheter, an aspiration pump, a collection canister, aspiration tubing, an external unit, and a sensing unit in the external unit, the dynamic aspiration method comprising:
operating, by a controller of the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system, via an algorithm, the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system in a first mode, wherein the first mode comprises generating pressure pulses at a first pulse frequency, and wherein the first pulse frequency is configured to minimize blood loss while extracting a thrombus;
detecting, directly via the sensing unit, a first measure of flow through the aspiration tubing; and
operating, automatically via the algorithm in response to the detected first measure of flow, the sensor-controlled thrombectomy system in a second mode, wherein the second mode comprises generating pressure pulses at a second pulse frequency, wherein the second pulse frequency is an increased frequency relative to the first pulse frequency, and wherein the increased frequency boosts a level of optimization for extracting the thrombus.
19 . The dynamic aspiration method of claim 18 , wherein the sensing unit comprises one or more acoustic flow sensors.
20 . The dynamic aspiration method of claim 19 , wherein the one or more acoustic flow sensors are ultrasonic flow sensors.