Catheter Misting Nozzle for Targeted Lung Stem Cell Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering stem cells to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) face inefficiencies, such as cell loss during intravenous injection and nebulization, with only a percentage of cells reaching lung tissue due to surface adherence and exhalation during inhalation methods.
Innovation Solution
A catheter device with a misting nozzle and deflecting wire mechanism that forms a mist from a liquid and allows for precise delivery of therapeutic agents directly to the lung tissue, using a guide loop device for navigation and an inflatable balloon to isolate treatment areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If intravenous injection is used to deliver stem cells, then cells can be introduced into the body, but cell loss occurs due to surface adherence in the venous system and only a percentage reaches lung tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a catheter with a misting nozzle as an intermediary device to deliver stem cells directly to the lung tissue. The catheter system acts as a mediator that bypasses the venous system and respiratory passageways, allowing cells to be deposited directly onto the lung surface without contact with other tissues that would cause adhesion loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/neural mechanisms of intravenous circulation and respiratory inhalation with a direct catheter-based delivery system. Instead of relying on cells to navigate through the venous system or be inhaled through the respiratory tract, the system mechanically positions the catheter tip at the target location and uses a misting nozzle to deposit cells directly, eliminating the mechanical pathways that cause cell loss.
2Loss of substance
If nebulizer inhalation is used to deliver stem cells, then cells can be introduced through the respiratory system, but cell loss occurs due to contact with nasal, oral, and trachea passageway surfaces and exhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter with misting nozzle serves as a direct intermediary delivery mechanism that bypasses the nasal, oral, and tracheal passageways. By positioning the catheter tip directly at the lung target area, the system eliminates the intermediate respiratory passageways that would otherwise cause cell adhesion loss and exhalation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the respiratory mechanical system (nebulizer inhalation through mouth and nose) with a direct catheter-based mechanical delivery system. This substitution eliminates the need for cells to traverse the respiratory passageways, thereby preventing cell loss from surface contact and exhalation while maintaining delivery effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If larger stem cells are delivered via nebulization, then more cells can be introduced, but larger cells are deposited in the mouth and throat instead of reaching the lung
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter with misting nozzle acts as a controlled intermediary that delivers cells directly to the lung tissue, bypassing the mouth and throat. The misting mechanism allows precise control over cell deposition location, ensuring that even larger stem cells are deposited at the target lung area rather than being trapped in the upper respiratory tract.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the uncontrolled nebulization mechanism with a controlled catheter-based delivery system. The misting nozzle provides precise control over cell deposition, allowing larger stem cells to be delivered directly to the lung tissue without being deposited in the mouth and throat, thereby maintaining both cell size and delivery location control.
4Productivity
If a catheter device with misting nozzle is used to deliver stem cells directly to lung tissue, then delivery efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is segmented into distinct functional components: the catheter shaft for positioning, the misting nozzle for cell deposition, and the deflecting wire for steering. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve high delivery efficiency, balancing the complexity of individual components with the overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates a deflecting wire mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the catheter tip position. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different anatomical structures and target locations, increasing delivery efficiency while managing complexity through controlled flexibility rather than rigid fixed positioning.
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 device significantly increases the delivery of stem cells to lung tissue, improving treatment efficacy by minimizing cell loss and ensuring targeted delivery, as demonstrated by higher cell levels in lung regions compared to intravenous injection.
Implementation Method 1
the catheter device is configured to form a mist from a liquid passed through the first lumen
Implementation Method 2
An actuator is coupled to the second portion of the deflecting wire and selectively operable to tension the deflecting wire to deflect the distal portion of the catheter shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3A
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A device for introducing a material into a body cavity is shown. The device includes a catheter with a distal tip. A first lumen (250) extends through the catheter. The catheter is configured to form a mist from liquid passed through the first lumen, for example including a misting nozzle (130) in fluid communication with the first lumen and configured to provide a mist from a flow of liquid through the first lumen. An inflatable balloon (140) may be included on the catheter to allow the user to isolate the portion of the body in which the material is introduced. Additional described features can provide for controlled deflection of a distal region of the catheter, guidewire or guide loop tool lumens, first and second misting nozzles on the catheter, and delivery apparatuses including the catheter devices coupled or that can be coupled to endoscopes such as bronchoscopes. Methods of use of the catheter devices and delivery apparatuses are also described.