A Breakthrough in Stroke Care

Researchers at Stanford University have unveiled a groundbreaking treatment for strokes that could significantly improve patient outcomes—potentially doubling the effectiveness of existing methods.

Introducing the Milli-Spinner Thrombectomy

This innovative technology, known as the milli-spinner thrombectomy, utilizes a unique approach to tackle not just strokes but also heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and various clot-related conditions. According to a recent press release, the device employs a hollow rotating tube equipped with fins and slits to safely and effectively engage blood clots.

How It Works: The Science Behind the Spinner

Blood clots are often comprised of thread-like proteins called fibrin. The milli-spinner doesn't destroy these clots; instead, it uses a combination of force and suction to reduce their size to as little as 5% of the original volume. This method prevents dangerous fragments from breaking off and traveling to hard-to-reach areas, a common risk with traditional techniques.

A Game-Changer in Emergency Medicine

According to senior author Renee Zhao, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, existing technologies often rely on breaking or deforming clots, which can lead to complications. 'What’s unique about the milli-spinner is that it applies compression and shear forces to shrink the entire clot, dramatically reducing the volume without causing rupture,' Zhao explained.

Time is Crucial: The Race Against Stroke Damage

In cases of ischemic stroke, where clots block oxygen to the brain, every minute counts—studies indicate that nearly 1.9 million brain neurons can be lost every minute. Current clot removal techniques succeed on the first attempt only about half the time and fail completely in 15% of cases.

Dramatically Improved Success Rates

'For most cases, we’re more than doubling the efficacy of current technology. For the toughest clots, we’re achieving a 90% success rate on the first try,' said co-author Jeremy Heit, chief of neuroimaging and neurointervention at Stanford.

Future Applications and Clinical Trials

Published in the journal Nature on June 4, these promising findings included both animal studies and machine-based models. Researchers are now pushing for clinical trials, eager to bring this life-saving technology into hospitals and emergency rooms.

A New Era for Thrombectomy Procedures

Zhao expressed excitement about the technology's potential: 'What makes this technology truly exciting is its unique mechanism to actively reshape and compact clots rather than just extracting them. This could significantly improve the success rate of thrombectomy procedures and save lives.'

Stay tuned as Stanford continues to develop this revolutionary treatment, which may also find applications in other medical fields, such as removing kidney stone fragments.