Balloon Catheter Needles for Multi-Depth Therapeutic Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems are limited in their ability to deliver multiple therapeutic agents to different depths within tissue, requiring multiple components and sequential insertion, which complicates targeted and localized treatment.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter system with co-axially disposed inner and outer cannulas and balloon members, featuring a plurality of needles integrated into pockets on the outer balloon, allowing for simultaneous delivery of multiple therapeutic agents to varying tissue depths through the inflation of the inner balloon, which engages the needles with tissue and dispenses agents via the needles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single catheter component is used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to deliver multiple agents to different tissue depths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple functional segments including an inner cannula with first plurality of needles, an outer cannula with second plurality of needles, and multiple balloon members (inner and outer balloons) that can be independently controlled. Each segment can deliver different therapeutic agents to different tissue depths, enabling multi-depth delivery capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cannula with its balloon and needles is nested within the outer cannula with its balloon and needles. This nested configuration allows both sets of needles to be delivered through the same catheter shaft and deployed simultaneously or sequentially to different tissue depths, achieving multi-agent delivery without requiring multiple separate catheter components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheter components are used to deliver different therapeutic agents to different tissue depths, then the treatment versatility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to sequential removal and insertion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple catheter components (inner and outer cannulas with各自的 balloons and needles) are merged into a single integrated catheter assembly. This allows all therapeutic agents to be delivered through one catheter insertion, eliminating the need for sequential removal and insertion of multiple separate components while maintaining full treatment versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The single catheter assembly performs multiple functions by incorporating both inner and outer cannulas with different needle configurations and balloon members. The device can deliver different therapeutic agents to different tissue depths simultaneously, providing universal multi-depth delivery capability without requiring multiple specialized catheters.
3Productivity
If a single needle is used for therapeutic agent delivery, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to sequential delivery requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The needle delivery system is segmented into multiple independent needles (first plurality on inner cannula, second plurality on outer cannula) that can be deployed simultaneously. Each needle can deliver therapeutic agent independently, enabling parallel delivery to different tissue depths and significantly improving delivery efficiency compared to sequential single-needle delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
There are disclosed apparatus and methods for treating tissue by delivering at least one therapeutic agent into the tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a catheter and a balloon member disposed on a distal region of the catheter. A plurality of pockets are disposed on the balloon member, and a plurality of needles are associated with each of the plurality of pockets. The plurality of needles are configured to engage tissue when the balloon is in the inflated state, and further are configured to disperse a therapeutic agent from an associated pocket into the tissue when the balloon is in the inflated state. A first needle of the plurality of needles may comprise a length that is different than a second needle, permitting the delivery of first and second therapeutic agents to different depths within the tissue.