Milli-spinner thrombectomy
www.nature.com
June 14, 2025, 12:39 p.m.
Clot-induced blockage in arteries or veins can cause severe medical conditions. Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive technique used to treat ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and peripheral vascular disease by removing clots through aspiration, stent retriever or cutting mechanisms. However, current mechanical thrombectomy methods fail to remove clots in 10–30% of patients, especially in the case of large, fibrin-rich clots. These methods can also rupture and fragment clots, causing distal emboli and poor outcomes. To overcome these challenges, we develop the milli-spinner thrombectomy, which uses a simple yet innovative mechanics concept to modify the clot’s microstructure, facilitating its removal.