Thrombectomy Device Sensor Integration and Test Bed Refinement

University of California, San Diego

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 

MAE 156B: Senior Design Project (Spring 2026)

Project Background

Hemodialysis patients rely on AV fistulas and grafts that frequently thrombose, halting life-sustaining treatment. Current thrombectomy procedures require surgeons to repeatedly remove the device and insert an imaging camera to check if a clot is cleared, resulting in significant wasted procedure time and increased patient risk. This project integrates a non-invasive digital feedback loop onto an existing non-driven-tip thrombectomy device developed by a previous MAE 156B team to solve this efficiency problem. By monitoring real-time motor current as a proxy for mechanical torque, the system detects clot engagement and clearance directly from the device handle, providing immediate feedback to the surgeon without placing fragile sensors inside the vessel.