Cryogenic Catheter Balloon with Permeable Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic catheters with balloons can occlude blood flow, which is undesirable, particularly when treating the renal artery, as it may lead to temporary increases in blood pressure and other adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an elongate shaft and an expandable member, such as an inflatable balloon, that protrudes through slots in the distal end portion, allowing for cryogenic treatment while maintaining blood flow by restricting longitudinal expansion with a stop and configuring the distal end portion to be biased in a linear or spiral shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the balloon is inflated to apply cryotherapeutic treatment, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but blood flow occlusion occurs causing temporary blood pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is divided into multiple segments or sections, with certain sections containing openings or being permeable to blood flow. This segmentation allows the balloon to maintain contact with the vessel wall for effective cryotherapy while permitting blood flow through the openings, thereby resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and blood flow occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the balloon have different properties - some sections are designed to be occlusive for effective cryotherapy application, while other sections have openings or are non-occlusive to maintain blood flow. This local differentiation allows the balloon to simultaneously achieve effective treatment and prevent harmful blood flow occlusion.
2Quantity of substance
If the balloon is inflated to contact the vessel wall for treatment, then the cryogenic fluid distribution is improved, but the risk of blood flow occlusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon structure incorporates segmented sections with varying degrees of permeability. The occlusive sections ensure adequate cryogenic fluid distribution and contact with the vessel wall, while the non-occlusive sections with openings allow blood flow to pass through, preventing harmful occlusion effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon incorporates porous or permeable materials in specific sections that allow blood flow to pass through while still enabling effective transfer of cryogenic fluid to the vessel wall. This porous structure resolves the contradiction by permitting both adequate cryogenic fluid distribution and maintained blood flow.
3Device complexity
If a traditional balloon is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot allow blood flow during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is segmented into occlusive and non-occlusive sections, with the non-occlusive sections containing openings or being made of permeable material. This segmentation allows the device to maintain relative structural simplicity while enabling blood flow through specific sections, preventing harmful occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon incorporates local variations in structure - certain sections have openings or are made of different materials to permit blood flow, while other sections maintain traditional occlusive properties for effective treatment. This local differentiation allows the device to remain relatively simple overall while preventing harmful blood flow occlusion.
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 targeted cryogenic ablation therapy without occluding blood flow, reducing the risk of temporary blood pressure increases and ensuring effective treatment delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the cryotherapeutic element can be cooled to modulate nearby nerves
Implementation Method 2
Cryotherapy is a useful treatment modality for many types of medical procedures
Implementation Method 3
the expandable member being configured to protrude outward from the at least one slot when expanded with cryogenic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a defining a lumen therebetween. The distal end portion defines al least one slot. An expandable member is disposed, within the lumen, the expandable member being configured to protrude outward from the at least one slot when expanded with cryogenic fluid.