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A New Era in Stroke Treatment
Stroke, a leading cause of disability and death globally, often occurs suddenly, leaving limited time for intervention. Ischemic strokes, the most common type, happen when a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel that supplies the brain. Current treatments aim to restore blood flow fast, but many fall short in effectiveness.
Now, researchers at Stanford University have developed a revolutionary device that promises to transform stroke care. Called the “milli-spinner,” this innovative technology has shown more than twice the effectiveness of standard clot-removal tools in early testing.
The Milli-Spinner: A Game-Changer in Clot Removal
How It Works
Conventional thrombectomy devices succeed in removing clots on the first try about 50% of the time, and around 15% of attempts fail completely. The milli-spinner seeks to improve both of these statistics dramatically.
Precision Engineering
This device uses a unique mechanism that gently compresses and applies shear forces to the clot. This controlled action breaks the clot down without damaging the blood vessel walls—something that’s a known risk in current mechanical approaches.
Early Results Are Promising
Preclinical studies show that the milli-spinner outperforms existing tools by a wide margin. It has been able to achieve higher first-pass success rates, which is critical in time-sensitive stroke treatments.
Beyond Stroke: Broader Medical Applications
More Than a Stroke Solution
Although it’s designed with stroke care in mind, the milli-spinner could also revolutionize treatments for other clot-related conditions like heart attacks and pulmonary embolisms. In each of these cases, faster and more effective clot removal means better outcomes for patients.
Reducing Risk and Cost
By increasing success rates and reducing the risk of complications, this device could lead to shorter hospital stays, lower healthcare costs, and fewer long-term disabilities.
What’s Next for the Milli-Spinner?
The Stanford team is optimistic about the milli-spinner’s future. With more testing and eventual clinical trials, this device could soon become a staple in hospitals and emergency rooms around the world.
Continued Innovation
As the technology evolves, it could pave the way for new approaches in emergency medicine and minimally invasive procedures across multiple specialties.
Reference: “Milli-spinner thrombectomy” by Yilong Chang, Shuai Wu, Qi Li, Benjamin Pulli, Darren Salmi, Paul Yock, Jeremy J. Heit and Ruike Renee Zhao, 4 June 2025, Nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09049-0
What Could This Mean for the Future of Stroke Care?
Could devices like the milli-spinner be the key to halving stroke fatalities in the next decade? Stay tuned to DailySciTech.com for the latest updates in medical innovation and scientific discovery.
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