Atraumatic Occlusion Balloons Using Thermosensitive Polymer Gelation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter methods for widening or occluding biological lumens, such as arteries, often cause injury due to the pressure required for balloon dilation or occlusion, leading to complications like intima thickening and narrowing.
Innovation Solution
The use of a polymer composition that gels upon insertion, providing a viscous, pressure-independent means to widen or occlude lumens, allowing for thinner, more conformable catheter materials and a wider range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pressure is used to inflate the balloon for widening or occluding the lumen, then the occlusion or dilation effect is achieved, but trauma to the lumen occurs leading to intima thickening and narrowing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional pressure-based mechanical inflation system with a polymer composition that undergoes phase transition from liquid to gel at body temperature. This substitution eliminates the need for high-pressure inflation while achieving the same occlusion or dilation effect, thereby preventing lumen trauma and intima thickening
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition property of inverse thermosensitive polymers that change from liquid state at room temperature to gel state at mammalian body temperature. This phase transition enables the polymer to automatically solidify upon injection into the body, providing stable occlusion or dilation without requiring high-pressure inflation, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and trauma prevention
2Ease of operation
If traditional fluid-filled balloons are used, then the lumen can be occluded or widened, but the balloon requires significant internal pressure that causes injury to the intima
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the filling material from liquid under pressure to temperature-responsive gel. The polymer composition maintains liquid flowability at room temperature for easy injection, then transforms to gel at body temperature to provide occlusion capability without requiring sustained high pressure, thereby eliminating intima injury while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure support system with a thermodynamic phase transition system. Instead of relying on continuous high-pressure inflation to maintain balloon shape and occlusion function, the system uses the polymer's inherent gelation at body temperature to provide structural support, eliminating the harmful mechanical stress on the intima
3Shape
If high pressure is required for balloon inflation, then occlusion is achieved, but thinner or more conformable materials cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition of the polymer composition from liquid to gel to provide structural support. The liquid state allows the material to flow and conform to the lumen shape during injection, while the gel state at body temperature provides the necessary structural support for occlusion, eliminating the need for high pressure and enabling use of thinner, more conformable materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic properties to the filling material through temperature-responsive phase transition. The material dynamically changes from a flowable liquid during injection to a supportive gel at the target site, allowing the balloon to first conform to the lumen shape and then maintain structural integrity without high pressure
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
This approach reduces trauma to the lumen, enabling atraumatic occlusion or dilation without the need for high pressure, facilitating safer and more effective medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature
Implementation Method 2
the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.