In-vitro testing of RF-enabled low force mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke

Mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke has high recanalization rate, long treatment time window and low hemorrhage risk. However, the clot engagement approach of caging the clot against the vessel wall can cause vessel stenosis and stroke recurrence. A device with reduced radial stenting force that reduces vessel wall friction would minimize stenosis and damage. The use of localized Radio Frequency (RF) to enable clot engagement and retrieval with minimal stenting force is explored in this study. New mechanical thrombectomy devices enabled with RF (Patent No.: US 62/172,043) were built and tested on human blood clots in vessels ex vivo. Test results showed that the RF-mechanical thrombectomy successfully and reproducibly captured and retrieved the clots without relying on stent caging of the clot against the vessel wall. Further work will be conducted on animals to compare vessel wall damage between conventional and RF-mechanical thrombectomy.