Thromboembolic events are a leading cause of mortality, causing 1 in 4 deaths worldwide. Current treatment procedures hinge on pharmacological treatment and minimally invasive catheter-based interventions. However, pharmacological treatment has many contraindications, making it unviable for a large group of patients. Catheter-based interventions often struggle to reach distal vessels and remove thrombi and emboli completely.
In this light, a novel treatment method is proposed in the form of a Wireless Clot Retriever (WCR). This is an untethered magnetic robot that can be inserted into the bloodstream, after which it can be actuated and controlled by an external rotating magnetic field.
This thesis focuses on the feasibility of this procedure with regard to the swimming behaviour of the WCR and the mechanical interaction between the WCR and the blood clot. Using different modelling and experimental techniques, it is judged whether the WCR possesses the capability to swim and approach, puncture and dislodge medically relevant blood clots. Finally, its current capabilities and future challenges are displayed in a number of in vitro and ex vivo clot pulling experiments.