A Hybrid Ultrasonic and Microsuction Approach for Minimally Invasive Thrombectomy to Treat Ischaemic Stroke

Approximately 87% of all stroke cases are caused by Ischaemic stroke [1]. Ischaemic stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is reduced or completely blocked due to an arterial obstruction, leading to cerebral ischaemia [2]. Mechanical thrombectomy and IV Thrombolysis are the two reperfusion therapies, which are time critical to treat Ischaemic stroke [3]. Thrombectomy devices that are available now are limited in their ability to treat small, tortuous vessels, and thrombolytic drugs carry a significant haemorrhagic risk [4]. To overcome these challenges, we develop a hybrid ultrasonic microsuction catheter that combines mechanical vibration through a piezoelectric transducer(PZT) with microsuction aspiration to facilitate clot disruption and removal. The PZT induced mechanical oscillations will then densify the fibrin network and will release the entrapped red blood cells and then the microsuction will aspirate the loosened fragments, reducing embolic risk. Finite embolic simulations indicate safe violations and amplitudes and suction flow rates capable of effective clot removal without damaging vessel walls. This study offers a promising new direction for thrombectomy devices to treat Ischaemic stroke, pulmonary embolism, and peripheral thrombosis.