Drug Eluting Balloon Compression Mechanism for Reduced Drug Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug eluting apparatuses leave a significant portion of the drug inside the balloon after expansion, leading to waste and increased costs due to unused medication.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes mechanisms to compress the balloon after expansion, allowing for the delivery of additional drug into the vessel by changing the balloon's state from expanded to compressed, thereby expelling remaining drug through holes in the balloon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the balloon is expanded in the vessel to deliver drug, then the drug is delivered into the vessel, but a significant portion of the drug remains inside the balloon and is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is designed to be dynamically compressible after expansion, allowing it to transition from an expanded state (for drug delivery) to a compressed state (for drug expulsion). The compression mechanism includes movable components that can apply longitudinal compression forces to the balloon, enabling the operator to squeeze the balloon and expel remaining drug into the vessel, thereby reducing drug waste without requiring a completely different delivery system
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the balloon is changed from expanded to compressed by applying mechanical compression forces. This parameter change in balloon volume and shape enables the expulsion of remaining drug through the balloon wall into the vessel, maximizing drug utilization. The compression alters the balloon's internal pressure and volume parameters to facilitate complete drug delivery
2Loss of substance
If the balloon is compressed to deliver additional drug, then drug utilization is maximized, but the structural integrity and reliability of the balloon may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon structure is designed with inherent cushioning characteristics that allow it to withstand compression forces without damage. The balloon material and structural design anticipate the compression operation, incorporating features that distribute compression forces evenly and prevent stress concentration points that could lead to rupture or structural failure, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling complete drug delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon structure itself provides the means for safe compression through its inherent elastic properties and design features. The balloon can be compressed and then naturally returns to its original shape, providing self-service functionality that eliminates the need for complex external compression devices while maintaining structural integrity throughout the compression-expansion cycle
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
This approach reduces drug waste and operational costs by ensuring nearly all drug is delivered to the vessel, maximizing the utilization of the medication.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable wire having a distal end connected to the distal portion of the balloon, and a proximal end connected to the guidewire tube... After the pull wire is pulled and the balloon is compressed, the elastically deformable wire causes the balloon to return to the longitudinally expanded state
Implementation Method 2
an anchor connected to a distal portion of the balloon... a pull wire connected to the anchor. The handle includes an actuator that is actuatable by a user to pull the pull wire and thereby cause the balloon to change from a longitudinally expanded state to a longitudinally compressed state
Data Source
AI summary
A drug eluting apparatus includes: a handle comprising a drug port configured to receive a drug; a shaft connected to the handle, the shaft including: a drug lumen configured to receive the drug from the drug port, and a guidewire tube configured to receive a guidewire and allow the guidewire to extend out of a distal portion of the shaft; a balloon attached to the distal portion of the shaft and configured to receive the drug from the drug lumen, the balloon comprising holes configured to allow the drug to exit the balloon; an anchor connected to a distal portion of the balloon; an elastically deformable wire having a distal end connected to the distal portion of the balloon, and a proximal end connected to the guidewire tube; and a pull wire connected to the anchor.