Catheter with Expandable Fluid Delivery Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter devices are limited in their ability to simultaneously deliver multiple therapeutic fluids to different portions of a vessel, requiring multiple devices or frequent decoupling and recoupling from fluid supplies, which is time-consuming and increases the risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
A catheter device featuring a hub with multiple ports, a guidewire tube, and a plurality of fluid delivery elements with hinges and needles that can adjust between expanded and retracted positions, facilitated by a compression sheath that allows for simultaneous delivery of therapeutic fluids to multiple areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheter devices are used to deliver therapeutic fluids to different portions of a vessel simultaneously, then the treatment coverage is improved, but the device complexity and risk of damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fluid delivery elements into a single catheter device, allowing simultaneous delivery of therapeutic fluids to different portions of a vessel through multiple needles. This merging approach provides comprehensive treatment coverage while reducing the number of separate devices needed and minimizing the associated complexity and damage risks
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter device is designed with multi-functionality to deliver multiple therapeutic fluids simultaneously through different fluid delivery elements. Each fluid delivery element can be independently controlled, allowing the single device to perform the functions of multiple separate catheters while maintaining adaptability to different treatment requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheter devices are used to deliver therapeutic fluids to different portions of a vessel simultaneously, then the treatment coverage is improved, but the operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple fluid delivery capabilities into a single catheter device, the patent enables simultaneous treatment of multiple vessel portions without the time loss associated with deploying or repositioning multiple separate devices. The integrated design allows all fluid delivery elements to be deployed and activated concurrently
3Ease of operation
If the fluid delivery elements are kept in an expanded position, then the fluid delivery capability is improved, but the risk of damage to the catheter device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery elements are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to transition between retracted and expanded positions. During navigation, the elements remain retracted to minimize damage risk, and are deployed to an expanded position only when needed for fluid delivery, thus maintaining both safety and operational effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter device allows local deployment of fluid delivery elements at specific target sites within the vessel. Rather than keeping all elements expanded throughout the entire catheter, only the locally required elements are deployed at the treatment site, reducing overall damage risk while maintaining fluid delivery capability where needed
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequent decoupling and recoupling from fluid supplies is performed, then the flexibility to deliver different therapeutic fluids is improved, but the risk of damage to the catheter device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter device incorporates multiple ports and fluid delivery elements that can be independently connected to different fluid supplies. This universal design allows the single device to deliver multiple different therapeutic fluids simultaneously without requiring decoupling and recoupling operations, thereby maintaining flexibility while eliminating the associated damage risks
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 the simultaneous delivery of multiple therapeutic fluids to different portions of a vessel, reducing the need for multiple devices and minimizing the risk of damage, while allowing for precise and localized treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a compression sheath disposable over and slidably movable relative to the plurality of fluid delivery elements, wherein the plurality of fluid delivery elements are naturally biased in the naturally biased and expanded position when the compression sheath is proximally disposed in an expansion permitting position
Implementation Method 2
wherein the plurality of fluid delivery elements are naturally biased in the naturally biased and expanded position when the compression sheath is proximally disposed in an expansion permitting position in which the compression sheath does not cover the hinge portion of each of the plurality of fluid delivery elements
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and use for a catheter device configured to deliver a plurality of therapeutic fluids simultaneously, in which the catheter device includes a hub, a guidewire tube extending from the hub, a plurality of fluid delivery elements extending from the hub and disposed about the guidewire tube, and a compression sheath disposable over and slidably movable relative to the plurality of fluid delivery elements. The elements are naturally biased when the compression sheath does not cover the hinge portion of each of the plurality of fluid delivery elements, and are in compressed when the compression sheath covers the hinge portion of each of the elements.