Detachable-Tip Balloon Microcatheter for AVM Reflux and Entrapment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolization techniques for vascular pathologies like AVMs face challenges such as embolic agent reflux, catheter entrapment, procedural complexity, and inefficiency, leading to increased complications and costs.
Innovation Solution
A detachable-tip balloon microcatheter system with a protective sheath that combines balloon expansion for flow control and detachable tip for precise embolization, allowing for safer and more comprehensive treatment of AVMs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid embolic agents are used for AVM embolization, then complete occlusion of abnormal arteriovenous fistulae can be achieved, but catheter entrapment may occur due to the adhesive nature of the embolic agent
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into two separate segments: a main body catheter and a detachable tip catheter. The detachable tip is designed to remain at the treatment site while the main body is withdrawn. This segmentation allows the embolic agent to adhere to the detachable tip for reliable occlusion while preventing entrapment of the entire catheter system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable tip is extracted as a separate component that can be intentionally left behind at the target site. The separation mechanism allows the tip to be detached and remain embedded in the embolic cast, while the main catheter body is withdrawn from the patient's body, effectively removing the entrapment risk from the system.
2Ease of operation
If detachable-tip microcatheters are used to prevent catheter entrapment, then catheter removal is improved, but embolic agent reflux may occur
Solution Approach 1:
A flow control balloon is inflated at the distal end of the catheter before embolic agent injection. This preliminary action creates a barrier that prevents embolic agent reflux during injection. The balloon is deflated after injection to allow catheter withdrawal, thus preventing reflux without compromising ease of removal.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If balloon microcatheters are used to control embolic agent flow, then reflux is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges three functions into a single integrated device: the detachable tip catheter for embolic agent delivery, the flow control balloon for reflux prevention, and the separation mechanism for easy removal. This combination eliminates the need for multiple separate devices while achieving all three objectives.
4Reliability
If precise injection is performed to penetrate the entire AVM malformation, then complete embolization is achieved, but procedural time increases due to the need for advanced manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable tip acts as an intermediary that remains at the target site to deliver the embolic agent precisely into the AVM nidus. The tip's detachable design allows for controlled injection without requiring the operator to maintain complex catheter positioning throughout the procedure, thereby reducing the time required while maintaining embolization completeness.
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 system reduces embolic agent reflux, minimizes catheter entrapment, and enhances procedural efficiency, leading to improved health outcomes and cost savings by facilitating complete occlusion of vascular abnormalities.
Implementation Method 1
inflating the balloon to occlude the blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
injection of an embolic agent through the microcatheter
Data Source
AI summary
A detachable tip sheathed balloon microcatheter is provided for delivering an embolic agent to a target location for the embolization of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The detachable tip sheathed balloon microcatheter including a balloon microcatheter including a first shaft and an inflatable balloon that is coupled to a distal end portion of the first shaft; and a detachable tip assembly that is configured to be detachably coupled to the first shaft of the balloon microcatheter. The detachable tip assembly includes a protective balloon sheath that is coupled to a proximal end portion of the second shaft, wherein when the detachable tip assembly is coupled to the balloon microcatheter, the protective balloon sheath surrounds at least a portion of the inflatable balloon.