Catheter with Retractable Needle for Intervascular Bridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for vessel compression, such as May-Thurner Syndrome, often require invasive surgical procedures or endovascular implants that can cause complications like thromboembolisms and discomfort, necessitating a non-invasive and implant-free solution to relieve compression among blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

A catheter with expandable elements and a retractable needle is used to deliver a filler into an intervascular space, forming a bridge between vessels to permanently relieve compression, allowing the catheter to be removed without leaving an implant, using inflatable balloons and shape memory needles for precise delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an endovascular implant (stent) is used to relieve compression, then vessel compression is relieved, but complications such as thromboembolisms, discomfort, and implant collapse occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel compression reliefVSAvoidthromboembolisms and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the endovascular implant from the body after achieving the desired compression relief. The catheter delivers filler material to form a bridge, then withdraws the catheter without leaving any implant behind, eliminating long-term complications associated with implanted devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a disposable catheter system that performs its function and is then removed. The catheter includes expandable elements and needle components that are discarded after single use, avoiding the need for permanent implants and associated complications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If surgical repair is performed to relieve compression, then vessel compression is relieved, but high invasiveness is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel compression reliefVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces open surgical repair with a minimally invasive endovascular approach. A catheter delivered through the vasculature performs the compression relief function, eliminating the need for external surgical incisions and complex mechanical reconstruction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter acts as an intermediary device that delivers filler material through the vasculature to form a bridge between vessels. This mediator approach allows compression relief without direct surgical exposure or complex mechanical manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If an endovascular implant is left in the vein to relieve compression, then compression is relieved, but the implant may cause collapse or discomfort long-term

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression relief durationVSAvoidimplant stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the catheter and all its components from the body after achieving durable compression relief through filler material deposition. The bridge formed by the filler provides long-term relief without requiring the catheter to remain in place

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary action by delivering filler material through the needle before withdrawing the catheter. The filler forms a bridge structure in advance that provides sustained compression relief independently of the catheter's presence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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

This method effectively opens compressed vessels, providing long-term relief from compression without surgical intervention or endovascular implants, reducing the risk of complications associated with existing treatments.

Implementation Method 1

The balloons are inflated to open up a compressed or pinched vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The needle may be curved when deployed, and may comprise a shape memory material that, as a result of temperature conditions, may assume a particular orientation when the shape memory is activated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

A filler may be delivered via the deployed needle while balloons are inflated and then hardens (e.g., within three minutes)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20230263994A1Catheter for forming an intervascular bridge to relieve vessel compression

Publication Date: 2023.08.24 CR BARD INC

AI summary

A catheter (10) is provided for relieving compression among blood vessels by introducing a filler into an intravascular space to form a bridge connecting the vessels in order to relieve the compression. The catheter is provided with a shaft (14), expandable elements (16,18) supported by the shaft for reliving compression in the vessel temporarily, and a retractable needle (30) located between the expandable elements. When deployed, such as by using an actuator (40), the needle may deliver the filler to the intervascular space to form a bridge between the vessels for relieving the compression once the catheter is removed.