Catheter Needle Energy Conversion for Varicose Vein Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating varicose veins, such as endovenous ablation, face challenges in effectively delivering energy and fluid to the targeted tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue, particularly in achieving precise penetration and distribution of therapeutic agents.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly comprising a catheter with movable elongated hollow needles that store potential energy and convert it to kinetic energy for precise tissue penetration and fluid delivery, allowing for haptically perceptible movements to guide the needle through openings in the catheter wall, enabling targeted treatment of varicose veins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a catheter is used to deliver energy and fluid to targeted tissue, then treatment coverage is improved, but precision of penetration and distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into multiple sections with multiple openings distributed along its length, allowing treatment to be delivered to multiple discrete locations. The needle can be positioned at different openings to treat different segments of tissue, achieving both broad coverage and precise targeting of specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the catheter can be used to deliver different substances or energies to different locations. The needle can be selectively positioned at specific openings based on the local treatment requirements, allowing customized delivery to match the specific needs of different tissue regions.
2Reliability
If fluid is delivered to surrounding tissue, then therapeutic effect is improved, but damage to surrounding tissue worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is pre-configured with a sharp distal end portion and potential energy storage capability, allowing it to cleanly penetrate tissue with minimal trauma before fluid delivery begins. The haptic feedback mechanism provides preliminary indication of tissue engagement, ensuring proper positioning before therapeutic agent injection to maximize efficacy while minimizing unnecessary tissue disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow needle acts as an intermediary device that delivers fluid through a controlled pathway. The needle's hollow structure allows precise delivery of therapeutic agents directly to target tissue, while its controlled penetration mechanism minimizes collateral damage compared to broader delivery methods.
3Manufacturing precision
If needle penetration is made precise, then fluid delivery accuracy is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates haptic feedback through the needle's proximal end portion, providing tactile sensation to the operator when the distal end reaches specific openings or engages tissue. This feedback mechanism guides the operator in positioning the needle accurately without requiring complex visualization or control systems, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise fluid delivery.
4Reliability
If energy delivery is targeted, then treatment efficacy is improved, but complexity of device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can deliver both fluid and energy through the same platform. The hollow needle can be used for fluid injection, and the catheter structure supports energy delivery, allowing a single device to perform multiple therapeutic functions, reducing the need for separate specialized devices.
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 assembly facilitates precise delivery of fluid and energy to the vein, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue, enhancing treatment efficacy by allowing controlled penetration and distribution, leading to effective vein closure and absorption.
Implementation Method 1
The distal end portion has a configuration that stores potential energy when the distal end portion is disposed within the lumen. The potential energy is converted to kinetic energy to produce movement of the proximal end portion as the distal end portion moves from the inner surface of the catheter wall across an edge of the adjacent one of the openings.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter assembly comprises a catheter including a catheter wall and a lumen extending lengthwise of the wall. The wall has inner and outer surfaces. The wall includes plural openings that extend through the wall and communicate with the lumen. An elongated hollow needle includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The needle is movable in the lumen to move the distal end portion between the openings. The distal end portion is directed radially outward so as to extend into an adjacent opening. The distal end portion has a configuration that stores potential energy when in the lumen. The potential energy is converted to kinetic energy to produce movement of the proximal end portion as the distal end portion moves from the inner surface of the catheter wall across an edge of an opening. The movement of the proximal end portion is haptically perceptible.