Bioabsorbable Foam and Vacuum Catheter Drainage to Reduce Cyst Recurrence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing and managing pancreatic cysts, such as imaging and endoscopic ultrasound, are invasive and prone to high recurrence, leading to increased patient anxiety and delayed diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with a sheath and absorbent material, such as bioabsorbable foam, is used to drain cysts, combined with a vacuum source for negative pressure to reduce cyst size and promote absorption, potentially incorporating echogenic or drug-eluting properties for enhanced visualization and treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If imaging techniques (CT, MRI) are used to monitor cysts, then patient anxiety and diagnostic delay increase, but the method remains non-invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (contrast agent or diagnostic material) delivered via catheter into the cyst cavity, which enhances imaging characteristics and enables more accurate diagnosis. This intermediary mediates between the non-invasive imaging approach and the need for improved diagnostic reliability, allowing better visualization without requiring invasive surgical intervention.
2Measurement precision
If endoscopic ultrasound with needle aspiration is used, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but cyst recurrence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering therapeutic agents, sclerosing substances, or embolic materials into the cyst cavity during the same catheterization procedure used for diagnostic aspiration. This preliminary treatment prevents cyst recurrence by destroying the cyst lining or occluding the cyst duct, thereby addressing both diagnostic accuracy and long-term stability in a single intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single catheter-based procedure. The same catheter used for fluid aspiration and diagnostic sampling is also used to deliver therapeutic agents, sclerosing substances, or embolic materials, combining diagnosis and prevention of recurrence into one integrated intervention.
3Reliability
If repeated biopsy procedures are performed, then cyst monitoring continues, but patient burden and procedure frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering therapeutic agents, sclerosing substances, or embolic materials into the cyst cavity during the same catheterization procedure used for diagnostic aspiration. This preliminary treatment prevents cyst recurrence by destroying the cyst lining or occluding the cyst duct, thereby addressing both diagnostic accuracy and long-term stability in a single intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the catheter procedure universal by enabling multiple functions: diagnostic fluid aspiration, therapeutic agent delivery, sclerosing substance injection, and embolic material placement. This multi-functional approach allows a single procedure to address diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of recurrence, eliminating the need for multiple separate interventions.
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 system provides a less invasive method for cyst management, reducing recurrence and enhancing treatment efficacy through absorbent material absorption and localized therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source configured to apply a negative pressure to the cyst
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum passage disposed for application of a proximal suction force through the catheter lumen
Implementation Method 3
an absorbent material disposed within the chamber of the sheath
Implementation Method 4
The foam may be bioabsorbable
Data Source
AI summary
A device for draining cysts includes a catheter system configured to deploy an absorbent material, including but not limited to a foam, into a cyst. The absorbent material advantageously absorbs fluid contained within the cyst, for example fluid that may remain following aspiration, reducing the potential for cyst recurrence. In various embodiments, the absorbent material may be bioabsorbable, radiolucent, echogenic, drug eluting, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the device may further include or be coupled to a vacuum source which applies negative pressure to the cyst during foam delivery, thereby reduce the overall size and/or profile of the cyst.