Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09049-0 Dr. Yilong Chang et al.
Points
- The milli-spinner thrombectomy is a new device designed to improve clot removal by applying shear and compression forces. This effectively shrinks clots by 95% without rupturing them.
- Traditional thrombectomy methods fail in 10–30% of cases, especially against fibrin-rich clots, while the milli-spinner demonstrated superior performance in both in vitro and swine model experiments.
- The device reduces clot volume to 5% of its original size, releasing trapped red blood cells and restoring blood flow through affected vessels.
- Its unique mechanism reshapes the fibrin network and minimizes distal embolization, a complication commonly associated with current mechanical thrombectomy techniques.
- Clinical trials are now underway as researchers aim to commercialize the milli-spinner, potentially extending its use beyond thrombectomy to conditions like kidney stone removal.
Summary
A study published in Nature outlines the development of the milli-spinner thrombectomy, a novel device designed to improve the effectiveness of clot removal in conditions such as ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and peripheral vascular disease. Current mechanical thrombectomy methods, including aspiration and stent retrieval, often fail to remove clots in 10-30% of cases, particularly with large, fibrin-rich clots. The milli-spinner works by applying shear and compression forces to the clot, reducing its volume by 95% without rupturing it, thus facilitating easier and more efficient removal. In vitro tests on pulmonary and cerebral artery flow models and in vivo experiments in swine models demonstrated that the milli-spinner outperformed traditional thrombectomy methods, achieving ultrafast clot debulking and revascularization.
The study’s findings revealed that the milli-spinner could effectively treat a wide range of clot compositions, including tough fibrin-rich clots that are otherwise difficult to treat with current technologies. Using the milli-spinner, clots were reduced to 5% of their original volume, freeing trapped red blood cells and facilitating their normal movement through the body. The study highlighted that the device’s unique mechanism, which reshapes and densifies the clot’s fibrin network, is particularly effective in preventing distal embolization, a common complication of current thrombectomy methods. This results in better outcomes for patients undergoing thrombectomy procedures.
Additionally, the milli-spinner’s ability to use localized suction through spinning compression and shear forces offers a promising solution for improving mechanical thrombectomy success rates. The technology is poised to enhance clot removal efficiency, especially in challenging cases involving fibrin-rich clots. It may also have applications beyond clot removal, such as in kidney stone treatment. The researchers have started clinical trials and are working towards bringing the milli-spinner thrombectomy to market to improve patient outcomes in thrombectomy procedures significantly.
Link to the article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09049-0
References Chang, Y., Wu, S., Li, Q., Pulli, B., Salmi, D., Yock, P., Heit, J. J., & Zhao, R. R. (2025). Milli-spinner thrombectomy. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09049-0
