Asymmetric Hydrogel Embolus for Stable Catheter Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolus materials used in biological lumens, such as liquid or bead-like materials, tend to move due to fluid flow, leading to unintended embolization and complications, as they do not effectively inhibit fluid flow at desired positions.
Innovation Solution
An embolus material with an elongated filling body made of a hydrogel that swells differently on its sides, creating a curved structure when exposed to biological fluids, which prevents movement by catching within the lumen, and a method of manufacturing this material involving uneven distribution of components in a hydrogel solution followed by polymerization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a liquid embolus material is injected into a biological lumen, then the material can be delivered through a catheter, but the material may flow along with the biological fluid and move from the desired portion to embolize an unintended location
Solution Approach 1:
The embolus material changes its physical state from liquid to solid upon contact with biological fluid, transforming its flow properties. This parameter change allows the material to be delivered as a liquid through the catheter and then solidify in place to prevent migration, resolving the contradiction between deliverability and positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The embolus material undergoes a phase transition from liquid to solid when exposed to biological fluid. This phase transition enables the material to maintain its position after injection, preventing unintended embolization while allowing catheter-based delivery of the liquid precursor
2Ease of operation
If a bead-like or thread-like embolus material is indwelled via a catheter, then the material can be delivered minimally invasively, but the material may move from the desired position due to flow of biological fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The embolus material transforms from a solid bead-like or thread-like structure to a gel状 structure upon contact with biological fluid. This parameter change increases the material's compliance and ability to conform to the lumen, preventing displacement while maintaining minimally invasive delivery capabilities
3Quantity of substance
If an embolus material is designed to swell when contacted with biological fluid, then the material can expand to fill the lumen and inhibit flow, but the uniform swelling may allow the material to move with the fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The embolus material is designed with asymmetric swelling characteristics where one side swells more than the other upon contact with biological fluid. This asymmetry creates a curved configuration that hooks onto the lumen wall, preventing the material from moving with the fluid flow while maintaining expansion capability for flow inhibition
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The embolus material effectively inhibits fluid flow at the desired location without moving, ensuring safe and targeted embolization by maintaining a stable, curved configuration within the biological lumen.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated filling body that is made of a material that swells when brought into contact with the biological fluid
Implementation Method 2
the swelling characteristics of the first side portion of the elongated filling body being different from the swelling characteristics of the second side portion of the elongated filling body
Data Source
AI summary
An embolic material which prevents flow of a biological fluid by being placed in a body lumen via a catheter, the embolic material comprising a material that swells by contacting the biological fluid. The embolic material includes a long filler that is formed smaller than an inner diameter of the catheter. The filler prevents the flow of the biological fluid by bending when brought into contact with the biological fluid due to the difference in swelling characteristics between a first side portion and a second side portion that extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction.