Despite rapid progress made in modern medicine, risks associated with the treatment of ischemic stroke remain high. Only 25% of patients who survived ischemic stroke are able to recover fully while the majority become disabled to an extent that they are no longer self-sufficient. A decade ago, intravenous thrombolysis used to be the standard procedure for acute coronary revascularization during ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) resulting from blood clot formation in the major epicardial coronary vessel. However, multiple trials demonstrated that the procedure failed to provide any benefits to the patient after ischemic stroke, and thus its use largely declined. With the introduction of new technology-based innovation in catheter-based thrombectomy systems, the global outcome of stroke patients is improving gradually. Aspirational Mechanical thrombectomy devices have become a go-to solution for the removal of an occlusive clot in acute ischemic stroke as they allow a proximal engagement of the clot and reduce procedural times without distal microcatheterization. Time is everything when it comes to the treatment of ischemic stroke. With mechanical thrombectomy, the physician can remove the clot more quickly and effectively which could help to restore blood flow to the brain as soon as possible. The minimally invasive mechanical thrombectomy procedure also prevents repetitive clot retrieval attempts, thus minimize complications. 

Royal Philip, a global leader in healthcare technologies recently debuted a compact and single-use QuickClear mechanical thrombectomy system designed for physically clearing fatal blood clots formed in the arms and legs. The device offers physicians an all-in-one aspiration catheter and pump system for a faster procedure. Consolidating Philip’s push-button vacuum system, the mechanical thrombectomy system has the potential to pull out clots through different sizes of placed catheters. The compact and palm sized QuickClear eliminates the requirement of large capital equipment and various accessories to carry out the procedure within peripheral arteries and veins. The novel device is a significant addition to Philip’s popular portfolio for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular disease, which includes interventional imaging and guidance systems, intravascular ultrasound devices, and atherectomy devices employed for removing any blockages/deposits within blood vessels. 

How QuickClear System Removes Blood Clots?

During the mechanical thrombectomy procedure, the surgeon inserts the catheter into an artery through the groin area and takes it to the area where clotting is present. An imaging device helps the physician to determine the location of the clot as well as guide the catheter at the required pace. When the aspiration pump is activated, the sweep catheter removes the thrombus and then the device is retrieved. The manual aspiration of target thrombi through the microcatheter could have led to the problem of clogging of aspiration tips but Philip’s push-button vacuum system eliminate the attached clot within intracranial arteries completely. 

Safe & Efficient Thrombectomy System

QuickClear mechanical thrombectomy system has received 510 (k) clearance from FDA and is available for commercial sales in the United States. The innovative all-in-one design makes the device easy to use and supports fast procedural time. While the newly launched device has a small size, Philips manufacturers have not compromised with the aspiration power and delivered the best quality for smooth procedures. The single-use feature and lack of capital equipment enhance the flexibility of the device and make it convenient for physicians to use it during complex procedures. Although the device is new to the market, it has unlimited potential to enhance the outcomes of the clot removal procedure and improve the lives of the patient. 

Optimized Performance & Intuitive Design

Due to its small footprint, the thrombectomy system can be easily placed on the table present right next to the patient. Within a push of a button, the QuickClear system becomes ready to use and progresses aspiration power within seconds, which simplifies the entire thrombectomy procedure workflow for the surgeon. The consistency of the aspiration power provides more control to the surgeons and leads to positive outcomes within a relatively shorter time than required for a standard procedure. QuickClear includes a large 10 Fr aspiration catheter that offers 59% more aspiration volume than 8 Fr aspiration catheter utilized in many currently available thrombectomy devices, thus the latest system enables a fast, simple, and accurate blood-clot removal procedure. The intuitive design of the entire thrombectomy device makes QuickClear a viable and cost-effective solution for the hospital as well as out-patient care settings as it takes away the high initial expenditure associated with the standard mechanical thrombectomy systems. 

Advancements in Mechanical Thrombectomy Devices

AngioDynamics AlphaVac Mechanical Thrombectomy System

AngioDynamics has designed an innovative and minimally invasive peripheral thrombectomy device, AlphaVac System for vascular access, peripheral vascular disease, and oncology. Combining two AngioDynamic proprietary technologies, the off-circuit and multi-purpose thrombectomy device is intended for the treatment of undesirable intravascular material in the venous system and peripheral vasculature. The system also consists of a new mechanical aspiration handle and self-expanding funnel tip, which provide physicians precise control, power, and versatility during the removal of clots and minimize blood loss. The company firmly believes that the device will become a go-to option for physicians to enable treatments without perfusion. The device is yet to seek FDA clearance. 

Penumbra Indigo Blood Clot Aspiration System

The Indigo blood clot aspiration device is designed for removing clots from peripheral arteries and veins, delivering continuous vacuum suctions to its aspiration catheters for eliminating clots from the vessels. The introduction of the Indigo System CAT RX device in the Indigo Blood Clot Aspiration System aims to address the limitation of traditional manual aspiration for the coronaries. The amalgamation of mechanical aspiration and highly trackable catheter technology enhances reperfusion times and improves patient care. Penumbra has launched a clinical trial of the Indigo system and results are yet to come out. 

Perflow Medical Stream17 Dynamic Neurothrombectomy Net

The new Stream 17 Dynamic Neurothrombectomy Net introduced by Perflow Medical is designed for the treatment of hemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke among patients with more complicated anatomies. Using Stream 17, the physicians can navigate a small microcatheter in more distal vessels to remove thrombus, which could have otherwise led to high risks through standard procedure. The Stream 17 Dynamic Neurothrombectomy Net device built on the company’s CEREBRAL NET technology is very easy to use throughout the full recanalization of the vessel and produces positive results.

Control 11 French Mechanical Thrombectomy System 

The latest 11 F mechanical thrombectomy system by Control Medical Technology has received FDA approval for eliminating large clots in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If left untreated, DVT can result in serious repercussions such as lifelong disabling symptoms, non-healing ulcers, discoloration, and even death. With Control 11 F, the physicians can remove diverse thrombus without using expensive tools, and complex capital equipment. While basic syringes lack speed, force, volume, and control, the electric pumps provide ample force but sometimes suck way too much blood. Therefore, Control 11 F with improved control and a wide range of catheters is the perfect mechanical thrombectomy system to remove clots within peripheral and coronary vasculature while reducing blood loss. 

Conclusion 

With the growing demand for minimally invasive procedures, the use of clot-busting catheters is expanding. In clinical trials, it has been found that thrombectomy alone can remove thrombotic occlusion in the coronary artery and that the patient does not need to take any other adjuvant therapies. Reduction in risk of distal embolism is another advantage offered by mechanical thrombectomy procedures over standard procedures. Thus, mechanical devices are the ideal alternatives to remove clots within constrained time limits as the delay can expose the patient to a haemorrhagic stroke. The patients experience immediate relief after the removal of the clot through mechanical thrombectomy. However, the technique has certain limitations that need to be considered. The thrombectomy catheter device might not necessarily break the thrombus away from the vessel walls. Also, distal emboli can be a potential risk factor in patients with high-risk thrombotic lesions. However, choosing the right kind of device, fragmentation thrombectomy, and selection of the right patients for the procedure can produce better outcomes.

According to TechSci Research report on “Global Interventional Cardiology Devices Market By Product Type (Angioplasty Balloons, Angioplasty Stents, Structural Heart Devices, Catheters, Plaque Modification Devices, Hemodynamic Flow Alteration Devices, Others) By End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Others) By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2026”, global interventional cardiology devices market is expected to show a significant growth during forecast period. The market growth can be attributed to rising incidences of cardiovascular diseases and technological advancements in the medical devices. Additionally, high demand for minimally invasive surgeries and rising demand of novel products for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases during the forecast period.