New Research: Device Removes Blood Clots in Seconds

A new device developed by Stanford University is giving hope to experts because of its ability to quickly remove blood clots.

Every minute that passes without treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or death. Since most strokes are caused by blood clots that block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, removing them quickly is crucial, regardless of how large or small, thick or thin the clot is, according to Fortune (USA).

Ability to remove blood clots in seconds?

In some cases, the clot is too large or too firmly attached to the blood vessel wall, making it difficult for the stent or suction device to remove it. In other cases, because of its fragile structure, the clot may break apart while being removed, causing small pieces to travel deeper into the brain through the bloodstream, spreading the damage or causing new complications.

Most strokes are caused by blood clots blocking the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain - Illustration: AI

“Both current methods — aspiration and stenting — have a high risk of clot rupture, whereas the milli-spinner actually prevents this from happening, at least in our experiments,” said engineer Renee Zhao, who designed the milli-spinner and is the study’s lead author.

The milli-spinner is a tiny hollow tube that rotates at high speed and is equipped with fins and slots. Through experiments, this device has shown the ability to compress and shrink blood clots significantly, making removal easier and more effective.

“This could be a game-changer in stroke treatment,” said Greg Albers, director of the Stanford University Stroke Center.

In an article published on June 4 in the scientific journal Nature (UK), the milli-spinner device showed the ability to shrink blood clots by up to 95% through simulation experiments.

“The device actually spins the clot into a tiny mass and sucks it straight into the catheter in just a few seconds, which is amazingly fast,” said study co-author Dr. Jeremy Heit, chair of the department of neuroimaging and intervention at Stanford University.

In experiments, the milli-spinner can remove blood clots in just seconds - Illustration: AI

Hope for a new treatment

According to experts, the current success rate of removing blood clots the first time with mechanical devices is just under 50%, and about 15% of cases fail.

In the lab, Dr. Heit said the milli-spinner successfully removed 100 percent of clots in more than 500 attempts; it restored at least half of the blood flow to the blocked vessel in 90.3 percent of cases on the first attempt—nearly double the average success rate of conventional suction.

However, according to the researchers, more large-scale trials are still needed. If the results are similar to the simulation tests, it could change the direction of stroke treatment.

“If it works in humans, the milli-spinner could significantly improve the rate of re-opening of blocked arteries, which could translate into better outcomes for patients with strokes, heart attacks, or pulmonary embolisms,” said Dr. Colin Derdeyn, chief of the Department of Radiology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghien-cuu-moi-thiet-bi-loai-bo-cuc-mau-dong-chi-trong-vai-giay-185250701161156929.htm