Convection Enhanced Delivery Microcatheter with Asymmetric Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Convection enhanced delivery (CED) methods face challenges in minimizing tissue trauma and backflow during the delivery of bioactive agents, particularly in cerebral tissue, due to the need for multiple catheters and the risk of hemorrhage.
Innovation Solution
A convection enhanced delivery device comprising a microcatheter and a fluid conduit carried by a support member, with the microcatheter projecting lengthwise and the fluid conduit embedded within the support member, allowing for fluid communication and minimizing the risk of backflow through complete surface contact with tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple catheters are inserted into cerebral tissue for convection enhanced delivery, then the delivery of bioactive agents is improved, but the risk of hemorrhage and tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the catheter system into a support member with multiple microcatheters attached at different orientations. This allows multiple delivery pathways to be achieved through a single insertion point, reducing the number of separate catheter insertions needed and thereby reducing tissue trauma and hemorrhage risk while maintaining effective bioactive agent delivery
2Object-affected harmful factors
If microcatheters with small outside diameters are used, then the risk of hemorrhage and tissue trauma is reduced, but the risk of backflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcatheters are oriented at different angles relative to the support member surface, with some extending more parallel to the tissue surface and others at steeper angles. This asymmetric orientation configuration optimizes fluid delivery into the tissue parenchyma while minimizing backflow, allowing the use of small-diameter microcatheters without compromising delivery reliability
3Reliability
If microcatheters are oriented parallel to the tissue surface, then backflow is minimized, but the delivery efficiency into tissue parenchyma may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different microcatheters on the support member have different local orientations tailored to their specific positions. Microcatheters are oriented at various angles relative to the tissue surface, with those better positioned for parenchyma delivery oriented more steeply, while others oriented more parallel to surface to minimize backflow. This localized optimization of each microcatheter's orientation based on its position achieves both efficient delivery and backflow prevention
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
The device effectively delivers bioactive agents with reduced tissue trauma and backflow risk by ensuring complete surface contact with the support member, enhancing the delivery efficiency and safety of bioactive agents into cerebral tissue.
Implementation Method 1
Convection enhanced delivery (CED) of a bioactive agent involves introducing a fluid containing the bioactive agent into a patient's tissue under pressure so that the fluid moves through the tissue via bulk flow
Data Source
AI summary
A convection enhanced delivery device comprises a support member and an elongated microcatheter carried by the support member. The microcatheter projects lengthwise away from the support member. The microcatheter includes a catheter lumen extending in a first direction. A fluid conduit carried by the support member. The fluid conduit includes a conduit lumen that extends in a second direction different than the first direction. The conduit lumen is in fluid communication with the catheter lumen. An inlet port and a connecting port are also carried by the support member. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The connecting port is separate from the inlet port and is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The connecting port is configured to engage an end portion of an external fluid conduit such that the external fluid conduit projects away from the connecting port and from the support member.