Non-Thrombogenic Catheter Surfaces for Edema Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravascular catheters used to treat edema are prone to thrombosis due to blood clot formation, leading to complications and malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
Intravascular devices with non-thrombogenic surfaces, featuring specific surface topographies and modified chemistries, such as hydrophilic coatings and oxide layer modifications, to inhibit blood clot formation and promote smooth fluid flow patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intravascular catheters are placed in blood vessels to drain lymphatic fluid, then edema treatment is achieved, but blood clots form on the catheter surfaces causing thrombosis and catheter malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophilic coating is applied to the catheter surface to act as an intermediary layer between the catheter and blood. This coating creates a water-rich environment that repels blood proteins and platelets, preventing clot formation while allowing the catheter to perform its drainage function
Solution Approach 2:
The surface chemistry of the catheter is modified by applying a hydrophilic coating that changes the surface energy and wettability parameters. This creates a superhydrophilic surface that preferentially attracts water molecules, forming a protective hydration layer that prevents thrombogenic interactions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If catheters with smooth surfaces are used to reduce clotting, then thrombosis is minimized, but fluid flow disturbances and shear forces may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter surface is engineered with controlled roughness parameters within specific ranges that optimize both thrombosis resistance and fluid flow characteristics. The surface topology is designed to minimize flow disturbances while maintaining anti-clotting properties
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
Prevents thrombosis by reducing shear forces and adherence of blood clotting factors, enabling effective treatment of edema without catheter malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
The modified surface chemistry may provide a hydrophilic surface. The hydrophilic surface may prevent blood clots by allowing blood water to outcompete blood proteins, e.g., circulating blood clotting factors, for adhesion with the hydrophilic surface.
Implementation Method 2
allowing blood water to outcompete blood proteins, e.g., circulating blood clotting factors, for adhesion with the hydrophilic surface
Implementation Method 3
The coating may comprise one or more of a polysaccharide, a polymer, or a hydrogel. For example, the coating may comprise the polysaccharide heparin. Heparin may provide the surface with an affinity for antithrombin. The presences of antithrombin on surfaces of the catheter may prevent blood clots by inactivating enzymes associated with the blood coagulation system.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides intravascular devices for treating certain medical conditions such as edema without causing thrombosis. The intravascular devices of the disclosure include non-thrombogenic surfaces that improve blood compatibility by reducing device-related thrombus formation and inflammatory reactions. The non-thrombogenic surfaces may include surface topographies (e.g., surface roughness) and modified chemistries (e.g., coatings and/or treatments), which prevent thrombosis by reducing local shear forces and inhibiting adhesion of blood clotting factors.