PROBLEM
Brain hemorrhages affect two million people each year across the world, causing clots in the brain that prevent cerebrospinal fluid or blood flow. Typical intervention methods relieve cranial pressure and reduce ventricle exposure, but subsequent surgeries risk higher infection or lasting damage to surrounding tissues.
SOLUTION
Purdue researchers have developed a self-clearing implantable catheter that is enabled by externally controlled microscale magnetic actuators. The microactuators generate time-varying magnetic fields that can rapidly break down intraventricular thrombosis and remove blockage in implantable catheters.
IN THE MEDIA
https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2022/Q2/microrobot-device-removes-brain-hemorrhages-due-to-strokes-or-aneurysms.html
PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR
Hyowon “Hugh” Lee, associate professor, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
INNOVATION DISCLOSURE
LICENSING CONTACTS
Phone: (765) 588-3475
Fax: (765) 463-3486
Email: otcip@prf.org
ABSTRACT
Magnetic Microactuator Enables Self-Clearing Catheter for Intraventricular Hemorrhage Treatment
Hyowon “Hugh” Lee(Project Leader), Bentley, R. Timothy, Yang, Qi
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a self-clearing catheter that uses time-varying magnetic fields to clear blood clots in the ventricles of the brain. Brain hemorrhages affect 2 million people each year across the world, causing clots in the brain that prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood flow and even deadlier conditions like hydrocephalus. Typical intervention methods include open surgery, catheter-based drainage, and thrombolytic agents. Although these achieve the purpose of relieving cranial pressure and reducing ventricle exposure, subsequent surgeries risk higher infection or lasting damage to surrounding tissues. Purdue researchers have developed a self-clearing implantable catheter that is enabled by externally controlled microscale magnetic actuators. The microactuators generate time varying magnetic fields that can rapidly break down intraventricular thrombosis and remove blockage in implantable catheters.