New Stroke Treatment Method Developed at Stanford University

Researchers at Stanford University have introduced a promising approach for treating strokes. This new method, known as Milli-Spinner thrombectomy, could enhance outcomes for patients dealing with heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and various thrombotic diseases, according to a press release from the university.

The process involves a thread-like protein called fibrin, which contributes to the formation of blood clots. The Milli-Spinner, which is a long hollow tube equipped with “fins and slits,” is inserted into the body via a catheter. It uses a combination of force and suction to tackle the thrombus.

This technique is noteworthy because it reduces the size of the thrombus to just 5% of its original volume, all while preserving the integrity of the fibrin threads. This preservation is crucial because if a clot breaks apart, the fragments can end up in difficult-to-reach areas of the body.

Using the Milli-Spinner also facilitates the release of red blood cells and the removal of smaller fibrin particles from circulation. Renee Zhao, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, emphasized that traditional technologies often rely on breaking blood clots, which isn’t ideal.

“What sets Milli-Spinner apart is its ability to compress and shear the clot, effectively reducing its overall volume without causing it to rupture,” she explained.

Time is of the essence when treating ischemic strokes, as these block oxygen to the brain. Research indicates that every minute, approximately 1.9 million brain neurons and 14 billion synapses are lost.

Currently, existing technologies only succeed in removing clots about half the time during first attempts, with a failure rate of around 15%. With the Milli-Spinner, researchers claim to have significantly improved effectiveness, achieving successful artery openings in 90% of initial trials.

<p"This technology is transformative, markedly enhancing our capacity to support patients," Zhao stated.

The findings, which include both animal studies and machine-based flow models, were published in *Nature* on June 4th. There is potential for the Milli-Spinner to be used in other medical scenarios, such as removing kidney stone fragments.

The research team is currently focused on obtaining approval for clinical trials, which are anticipated to commence soon.

“What excites me about this technology is its compact mechanism, which goes beyond merely extracting clots; it actively reshapes and reconstructs them,” Zhao concluded. “Our goal is to bring this into clinical practice for significantly improved thrombus removal rates, ultimately saving lives.”