Occlusion Resistant Catheter Tip with Movable Disc
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shunting systems for treating hydrocephalus often suffer from occlusion due to tissue ingrowth and protein buildup, leading to frequent replacements and complications.
Innovation Solution
An implantable occlusion-resistant fluid interface with a biocompatible housing and orifice configuration, featuring an elongated transverse cross-section and a movable orifice member, is designed to prevent inflammatory cell binding and tissue growth, including nano-ripple surface treatments to inhibit protein adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shunting systems use standard catheter tips and orifices, then the system is simple to manufacture and implant, but the fluid path becomes occluded due to tissue ingrowth and protein buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip incorporates a movable disc that can shift position in response to fluid pressure changes. This dynamic element prevents tissue from permanently blocking the orifice by periodically opening the fluid path, thereby resolving the contradiction between occlusion resistance and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice geometry is changed from a standard circular cross-section to an elongated transverse cross-section with specific dimensional ratios. This parameter change in the orifice shape prevents tissue ingrowth while maintaining manufacturability, addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Reliability
If the orifice has a small cross-section to prevent tissue ingrowth, then occlusion resistance improves, but fluid flow capacity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable disc allows the orifice to dynamically adjust its opening size based on fluid pressure. During normal operation, the orifice remains small to prevent tissue ingrowth, but when pressure builds up, the disc moves to enlarge the opening and restore fluid flow, thus resolving the contradiction between occlusion resistance and fluid flow capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice is designed with an elongated transverse cross-section rather than a circular one. This dimensional change allows the opening to have sufficient cross-sectional area for adequate fluid flow while maintaining a configuration that resists tissue ingrowth, balancing occlusion resistance with fluid flow productivity
3Reliability
If the catheter remains stationary after implantation, then the implantation procedure is simple, but tissue ingrowth occludes the fluid path over time
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a movable disc that automatically responds to physiological conditions without requiring external control or complex implantation procedures. The disc's passive movement in response to pressure changes provides long-term patency while maintaining simple implantation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tip's movable disc serves itself by automatically adjusting to prevent occlusion without requiring external intervention or complex control mechanisms. This self-regulating feature ensures long-term patency while keeping the implantation procedure relatively simple, addressing the contradiction between long-term reliability and operational simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable occlusion and tissue ingrowth resistant fluid interface is provided with a housing, an orifice and a catheter port. The housing is formed from at least one biocompatible material and is configured without sharp edges or corners. The housing at least partially defines an internal housing cavity. The orifice member at least partially defines an orifice between the internal housing cavity and an exterior of the housing. The orifice has an elongated transverse cross-section configured with a length that is at least four times its maximum width. The catheter port is located on the housing and is configured to couple with a catheter such that the internal housing cavity is in fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is coupled to the catheter port. Embodiments having a moving cylinder, a rotor, and non-chemical surface modifications, as well as methods of use are also disclosed.