Balloon Occlusion Catheter Drives Retrograde Vessel and Graft Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angiographic techniques face challenges in visualizing blood vessels or grafts proximal to the injection site due to the antegrade flow of radiopaque contrast material, requiring manual compression or tourniquet application, which is technically challenging and exposes operators to radiation.
Innovation Solution
A balloon occlusion catheter that injects radiopaque contrast material proximal to an occlusion balloon, blocking outflow and allowing contrast to flow retrograde against the normal blood flow direction, facilitating radiographic imaging of blood vessels or grafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual compression or tourniquet application is used to occlude blood flow downstream, then retrograde flow of contrast material is achieved, but operator radiation exposure increases and technical difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an occlusion balloon as an intermediary device that is inflated within the blood vessel to block blood flow downstream of the catheter tip. This intermediary mechanism replaces manual compression or tourniquet application, allowing contrast material to flow retrograde without requiring external compression that increases radiation exposure and technical difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual compression or tourniquet application with a controlled inflatable balloon mechanism. The balloon is inflated through a catheter using fluid pressure, substituting the need for external mechanical compression that exposes the operator to radiation and requires manual dexterity.
2Ease of operation
If manual compression or tourniquet application is used to occlude blood flow downstream, then retrograde flow of contrast material is achieved, but technical difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter device combines multiple functions in a single integrated system: it includes both the contrast injection capability and the occlusion balloon for blood flow blockage. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate manual compression techniques or additional devices, simplifying the overall procedure despite the added balloon component.
Solution Approach 2:
The occlusion balloon is nested within the catheter structure, allowing it to be delivered through the same access point as the catheter itself. The balloon is collapsed within the catheter during insertion and only expands at the target location, nesting the occlusion function within the injection device to minimize procedural complexity.
3Measurement precision
If contrast material is injected in antegrade direction with blood flow, then contrast moves away from injection site, but visualization of proximal blood vessels is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the normal flow direction of contrast material by blocking downstream blood flow with an occlusion balloon. This causes the contrast injected at the catheter tip to flow retrograde (against the normal direction of blood flow) toward proximal blood vessels, enabling visualization that would otherwise be lost due to antegrade flow carrying contrast away from the region of interest.
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
Enables efficient retrograde angiography of blood vessels or grafts without manual compression, reducing operator radiation exposure and improving imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
A balloon occlusion catheter that injects radiopaque contrast material proximal to an occlusion balloon, blocking outflow and allowing contrast to flow retrograde against the normal blood flow direction
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention comprises devices and methods for performance of retrograde angiography, viz, devices and methods of occlusion of a blood vessel and injection of contrast to flow proximal to the direction of blood flow, thereby enabling retrograde clinical angiograms of blood vessels and grafts to be obtained.