A new device for treating stroke more safely and effectively

Marc Ribó

Vall d'Hebron Instituto de Investigación (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain

Many people around the world experience strokes every year, and these medical emergencies can lead to serious disabilities or even death. While some strokes block larger blood vessels in the brain and can be treated successfully with current medical tools, a significant number are caused by blockages in medium-sized blood vessels. These cases are much harder to treat with existing methods, and many people do not recover fully or face complications.

The main problem is that current medical devices are not well suited for these complex blockages. These tools cannot always reach the blocked area safely, and trying to remove the blockage can lead to bleeding or damage to the delicate blood vessels. As a result, many patients are left with lasting disabilities or do not survive.

This project aims to solve this problem by creating and testing a new medical tool. This new tool is designed to reach the blocked blood vessels more easily and to remove the blockage gently and effectively, without harming the blood vessels. The tip of the device is specially shaped to move through the twists and turns of the brain’s blood vessels, and its unique design helps remove blockages without causing injury.

The project involves two main steps. First, experts will design and build the new device using advanced manufacturing. Next, they will test the device in models that closely mimic how blood flows in the brain. If successful, this new tool could make stroke treatment safer and more effective for many people, helping them recover better and reducing the risk of disability or death.

MicroAspiration Retrieval System - A novel thrombectomy device for distal vessel occlusion strokes

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