Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new technology, known as the milli-spinner thrombectomy, which promises to enhance the treatment of blood clots significantly. This advancement is particularly relevant for conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, and pulmonary embolisms.
Current methods for treating ischemic strokes—where a clot obstructs oxygen flow to the brain—have a success rate of about 50% on the first attempt. In contrast, the milli-spinner shows a marked improvement, with Jeremy Heit from Stanford noting that it opens arteries on the first try in 90% of cases involving tough clots. Heit describes this development as “a sea-change technology that will drastically improve our ability to help people.”
Traditional treatments often involve inserting a catheter into an artery to vacuum or snare the clot. However, these techniques can sometimes fail by breaking fibrin threads within clots, causing them to dislodge and relocate elsewhere in the body. The milli-spinner aims to overcome these limitations by applying compression and shear forces through its innovative design, which compresses and rolls fibrin threads into tight balls without rupture.
Renee Zhao from Stanford explains that this device reduces clot volume without causing rupture: “What’s unique about the milli-spinner is that it applies compression and shear forces to shrink the entire clot.” This method has shown efficacy across various clot compositions and sizes.
The milli-spinner’s design stems from Zhao’s research on millirobots—small robots designed for internal medical applications. The researchers initially discovered its potential when they observed significant changes in clots during tests, prompting further investigation into its mechanisms.
While primarily focused on blood clots, Zhao’s team is exploring other uses for the milli-spinner, including removing kidney stone fragments. They are also working towards clinical trials with hopes of bringing this technology into widespread medical use soon.
In addition to Heit and Zhao, several other Stanford researchers contributed to this study, including Yilong Chang, Shuai Wu, Qi Li, Paul Yock, Darren Salmi, and Benjamin Pulli. The project received support from multiple Stanford programs and grants from external sources like the National Institutes of Health.
Jill Wu at Stanford University’s School of Engineering can be contacted for further information regarding this research.
