Catheter Drug Delivery Valve Interlock to Prevent Clogging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering therapeutic agents, particularly in powder form, struggle with targeted and localized delivery to specific sites within the body, often resulting in weak streams and potential harmful side effects due to exposure of healthy tissues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a container for therapeutic agents, a pressure source, a catheter, and a valve mechanism with a brake assembly that controls the delivery of pressurized fluid to precisely deliver the agent through a catheter, ensuring targeted delivery by blocking or allowing actuation of valves based on the state of the first valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a syringe or similar device is used to inject the therapeutic agent into the lumen of the catheter, then the therapeutic agent can be delivered to the target site, but the injected therapeutic agent stream is relatively weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pressure source (gas or liquid reservoir) connected to the catheter system that delivers pressurized fluid to propel the therapeutic agent through the catheter. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism generates a stronger, more forceful stream compared to manual syringe injection, while the integrated design keeps the system complexity manageable.
2Ease of operation
If therapeutic powder is held within a syringe or other container, then it can be stored, but it cannot be easily delivered through a catheter to a target site in a localized manner
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized fluid system effectively transports powder therapeutic agents through the catheter by suspending them in the pressurized carrier fluid. This pneumatic/hydraulic transport mechanism enables reliable localized delivery of powder formulations that would otherwise be difficult to deliver through catheters.
3Ease of operation
If the button is always accessible to actuate the second valve, then the system is easy to operate, but pressurized fluid may flow into the container when it should not, causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is positioned to preemptively block the button's ability to actuate the second valve when the first valve is in the closed position. This preliminary anti-action prevents unintended flow and potential clogging before they can occur, while allowing easy operation when the system is properly configured.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake assembly provides mechanical feedback based on the position of the first valve. When the first valve is closed, the brake engages to prevent button actuation. When the first valve is open, the brake disengages to allow actuation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable operation while preventing unintended flow.
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
Enables precise and localized delivery of therapeutic agents, reducing exposure to healthy tissues and minimizing harmful side effects, while preventing clogging and improving procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a brake assembly coupled to the first valve and configured to selectively permit actuation of the second valve, such that when the first valve is in a first state, the brake assembly blocks the button such that the button does not actuate the second valve
Implementation Method 2
allowing the pressurized fluid in the pressure source to flow through the second valve, into the container, and urge the therapeutic agent in the container through the catheter
Data Source
AI summary
A system suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site may include a container for holding a therapeutic agent, a pressure source having pressurized fluid, where the pressure source is in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the container, a catheter in selective fluid communication with the container and configured for delivery of the therapeutic agent to a target site, a first valve connected between the container and the catheter, a second valve connected between the pressure source and the container, a button configured to selectively actuate the second valve, and a brake assembly coupled to the first valve and configured to selectively permit actuation of the second valve, such that when the first valve is in a first state, the brake assembly blocks the button such that the button does not actuate the second valve.