Adjustable Catheter with Nested Elements for Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems for vessels face limitations in adjustability of treatment area length, pressure buildup, and leakage due to collateral vessels, which restrict precise and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with an inner elongated element and an outer elongated element, featuring a pressure relief mechanism and occlusion elements, allows for adjustable treatment zone length and controlled pressure management to prevent leakage, enabling precise delivery of therapeutic agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a predetermined expandable portion with fixed length and diameter is used for drug delivery, then the device structure is simple, but the treatment area length and diameter cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments: an expandable portion with predetermined length, an inner elongated element that can be extended beyond the expandable portion, and an outer elongated element. This segmentation allows the treatment area length to be adjusted by extending the inner element beyond the expandable portion, while each segment maintains a relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner elongated element is nested within the outer elongated element, and both are positioned within the expandable portion. This nested configuration allows compact storage and simple overall structure, while enabling variable treatment area length when deployed by extending the inner element beyond the expandable portion distally.
2Reliability
If occlusion elements are used to contain the treatment area, then pressure control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control function is extracted from the main catheter body and implemented through a separate pressure relief element that can be selectively positioned. This allows pressure management without requiring complex integrated pressure control mechanisms in the main catheter structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief element is designed to be movable along the inner elongated element, allowing dynamic adjustment of the treatment zone pressure. The element can be positioned at different locations to control pressure buildup when therapeutic solution is introduced, providing adaptive pressure management.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the catheter remains in place for extended periods to allow therapeutic agent contact, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the risk of agent leakage through collateral vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion elements are deployed beforehand to seal off collateral vessels before the therapeutic agent is introduced. This preliminary action prevents the harmful leakage effect that would otherwise occur during extended contact time, allowing the agent to remain in the treatment zone for the necessary duration without escaping through collateral pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment zone is pre-established by positioning and inflating the occlusion elements to contain the therapeutic agent. This preliminary containment structure is in place before agent delivery, ensuring that even during extended contact periods, the agent remains confined to the intended treatment area and does not leak through collateral vessels.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A system and method for localized delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent within a vessel provides for adjustability of the length of the treatment area, reducing of pressure within the treatment area, and reducing outflow of the therapeutic or diagnostic agent from the treatment area. A catheter system includes an inner elongated element, an outer elongated element coaxial to the inner elongated element, and optionally a pressure relief element at a distal end of the inner elongated element. A proximal occlusion element is positioned at the distal end of the outer elongated element, proximal to an outlet port. A distal occlusion element is positioned at a distal end of the inner elongated element. The distal end of the inner elongated element is distal to and movable with respect to the outer elongated element distal end. An inflow occlusion element may be placed proximal to the proximal occlusion element.