First experience with Walrus balloon guide catheter in a whole-body flow model

Abstract

Purpose Flow arrest using a balloon guide catheter (BGC) in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) due to large vessel occlusion has been associated with better outcomes. Known limitations of currently commercially available BGCs are incompatibility with large bore aspiration catheters (AC) and lack of distal flexibility. Walrus presents variable stiffness and compatibility with large bore AC. The goal of this study is to describe the first experience with Walrus in a realistic stroke simulation model. Methods A full-length modular vascular model under physiological conditions was used. 8F+-Walrus inner-diameter (ID) 0.087in 95 cm combined with 6F-Sofia AC ID 0.070in 131 cm and an 8F-Flowgate2 BGC ID 0.084in 95 cm with a 5F-Sofia AC ID 0.055in 125 cm were used to perform aspiration MT. User surveys, access to target and occlusion site, technique, time of delivery, anatomical change, and catheter kick-back were assessed. Results Seven neuroradiologists with average of 10 years-experience in MT performed primary aspiration using the above-mentioned combinations in three different anatomies (N = 41). All operators would likely (29%) or very likely (71%) use again Walrus in combination with large bore AC and the majority (86%) found its navigability easier than with other BGCs. Time to reach final BGC position and catheter kick-back did not differ significantly among anatomies or catheter combinations (p > 0.05). However, Walrus was more likely to reach ICA petrous segment (p < 0.05) and intracranial occlusion with AC (p < 0.01). Conclusion The Walrus combined with large bore AC presented significantly better distal access and navigability for primary aspiration in an in vitro stroke model.

Research on FBG Tactile Sensing Shape Recognition Based on Convolutional Neural Network

“…Due to the long curing time of PDMS, flexible resin can be used to replace PDMS when 3D printing the encapsulation layers of flexible sensors. Flexible resin (Flexible 80A, Formlabs, Somerville, MA, USA) [18], as a new type of industrial resin, has flexibility, elasticity, and excellent crack resistance [19]. After research, the parameters of this material are close to PDMS, and it is suitable as a flexible encapsulation material of FBG.…”