Treatment of venous thromboembolisms using a wireless-powered thrombolytic filter

Aim: To show that a wireless-powered thrombolytic filter can be used in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) as an alternative to the existing VTE therapies, which have serious side effects. Methods: The wireless-powered thrombolytic filter that we propose combines the positive attributes of anticoagulants and thrombolytics, through the capture and dissolution of blood clots, without the associated adverse effects of existing treatments. The filter absorbs radio-frequency energy from a source and converts it into heat at the thrombolytic filter. Results: We used computer simulations with COMSOL and lab experiments to demonstrate that a wireless-powered thrombolytic filter can be heated up through the absorption of radio-frequency energy from an external source. Conclusions: We demonstrate that a wireless-powered thrombolytic filter has the potential to be used in the treatment of VTE, since it can be designed to absorb energy from an external radio-frequency source and convert it to heat that is sufficient to dissolve blood clots captured by the thrombolytic filter.