Implantable Catheter with Intermittent Biocompatible Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable catheters often experience foreign body reactions, leading to fibrotic responses and obstruction, which limit their longevity and effectiveness in medical applications such as hemodialysis and chemotherapy.

Innovation Solution

A catheter design featuring a flexible outer conduit and inner conduit with intermittently disposed supporting structures that contain biologically active agents, allowing for controlled release to minimize foreign body reactions, with the agents diffusing through the outer conduit to prevent tissue irritation and obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a catheter is implanted in the body, then it can perform medical functions (hemodialysis, chemotherapy, insulin injection), but foreign body reactions occur leading to fibrotic responses and catheter obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter functionalityVSAvoidforeign body reaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating biologically active agents (such as heparin, corticosteroids, or anticoagulants) into the catheter structure before implantation. These agents are pre-loaded in reservoirs or coated on the catheter surface to proactively prevent foreign body reactions and fibrotic encapsulation before they can develop, thereby maintaining catheter patency and reducing obstruction risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses biologically active agents as intermediary substances between the catheter material and the surrounding tissue. These agents mediate the interaction by reducing the direct foreign body response to the catheter, preventing excessive fibrotic encapsulation, and maintaining a more favorable tissue-catheter interface that reduces obstruction while preserving catheter function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If structural support is added to the catheter to maintain its shape and flexibility, then insertion ease improves, but rigidity increases which may cause tissue irritation and foreign body response

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion flexibilityVSAvoidtissue irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the mechanical properties of the catheter materials and structural supports. The support structures are designed with specific flexibility parameters that allow the catheter to bend and conform to vascular anatomy during insertion, while still maintaining adequate shape retention. This optimized parameter balance reduces tissue irritation and foreign body response while preserving ease of insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the catheter remains in the body for prolonged periods, then it provides continuous medical treatment, but fibrotic tissue gradually covers the catheter leading to obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter longevityVSAvoidcatheter patency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action through sustained-release mechanisms that continuously deliver biologically active agents from the catheter into the surrounding tissue over extended periods. This continuous delivery prevents the development of fibrotic encapsulation and maintains catheter patency throughout the implantation period, ensuring long-term reliability without interruption of medical treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 catheter design reduces fibrotic responses and extends its lifespan by minimizing tissue reaction, enabling flexible insertion and prolonged use without significant rigidity increase, as demonstrated by the controlled release of dexamethasone reducing fibrotic encapsulation in animal models.

Implementation Method 1

the structural support comprises a first biological agent that is released to a region outside the catheter via the outer conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20230338701A1Implantable medical devices with enhanced biocompatibility

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 UNIV OF CONNECTICUT

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a catheter comprising an outer conduit that comprises a first polymer; an inner conduit that comprises a second polymer; a structural support intermittently disposed in a region between the outer conduit and the inner conduit; where the structural support contacts the inner conduit and the outer conduit; where the structural support comprises a first biological agent that is released to a region outside the catheter via the outer conduit. Disclosed herein too is a method of using the catheter comprising disposing a catheter into a body of a living being; releasing the first biological agent into the organ in a first direction; and releasing a second biological agent into the organ in a second direction different from the first direction.