Catheter Malfunction Detection via Physiologic Pressure Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion catheters in implanted systems can malfunction due to improper placement, migration, blockages, or leaks, leading to ineffective delivery of therapeutic substances to the intended internal delivery site, which can result in incomplete or dispersed medication and additional complications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves analyzing pressure modulation profiles within the catheter to determine if the catheter is properly located, functioning correctly, and not obstructed or leaking by comparing measured fluid pressure to expected physiologic pressure changes at the internal delivery site, using a pressure sensor and control electronics to develop and compare pressure modulation profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catheter pressure monitoring is implemented to detect malfunctions, then reliability of therapeutic substance delivery is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional pressure sensors and control electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own pressure characteristics to detect malfunctions such as improper placement, migration, blockages, or leaks. The pressure sensor and control electronics automatically analyze pressure modulation profiles and generate malfunctions determinations without requiring external intervention, enabling the system to service itself and maintain reliable operation.
2Reliability
If continuous pressure monitoring is performed to detect catheter malfunctions, then reliability of delivery is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous operation of pressure sensor and signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic pressure monitoring rather than continuous monitoring, analyzing pressure modulation profiles at predetermined time intervals. The control electronics are configured to evaluate pressure characteristics periodically to detect malfunctions, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining adequate monitoring capability for catheter placement verification and malfunction detection.
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
This approach allows for the accurate identification of catheter malfunctions, ensuring proper placement and operation, thereby ensuring effective delivery of therapeutic substances and minimizing complications by terminating fluid delivery when a malfunction is detected.
Implementation Method 1
measuring pressure of a fluid within a lumen in a catheter
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for determining whether an implanted catheter used to deliver fluids to a selected internal delivery site is malfunctioning. The malfunctions may include that the infusion section of the catheter is not located at or has migrated away from the selected internal delivery site, is leaking, is blocked, etc. The determination is made by analyzing the pressure modulation of fluid within the catheter and determining whether the pressure of the fluid in the catheter is modulated by physiologic pressure changes experienced at the selected internal delivery site. The physiologic pressure modulations at the selected internal delivery site may be caused by, e.g., cardiac activity, respiration, changes in patient's posture, etc.