Dual-Lumen Intraventricular Access for Chronic Infusion and Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for administering drugs directly to the brain, such as Ommaya reservoirs and external ventricular drains, face challenges in achieving chronic drug delivery and are prone to complications like infection and backflow, while current catheters for convection-enhanced delivery are not suitable for long-term use due to infusate backflow and lack of chronic infusion capability.

Innovation Solution

An intraventricular access device with a dual lumen design, featuring separate infusion and sampling ports, is implanted beneath the scalp and connected to an implantable or external pump, utilizing a barrier to prevent cross-contamination and incorporating biocompatible materials to minimize tissue adherence and infection risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single lumen catheter is used for both infusion and sampling, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-contamination between infused drug and sampled CSF occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter structureVSAvoidcross-contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into separate lumens: one lumen dedicated to drug infusion and another lumen dedicated to CSF sampling. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between the two functions while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional catheters are used for chronic drug delivery, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but infusate backflow occurs preventing continuous infusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter productionVSAvoidcontinuous infusion capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter design incorporates features that prevent backflow of infused solution, enabling continuous uninterrupted drug delivery into the CSF space. The system maintains continuous infusion capability through proper lumen configuration and connection to implantable or external pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of manufacture

If standard catheter materials are used, then ease of manufacture is preserved, but tissue adherence and infection risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter fabricationVSAvoidinfection and tissue adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates biocompatible materials such as silicone rubber or medical-grade polymers that reduce tissue adherence and infection risk. These materials may include antibiotic-impregnated coatings or biocompatible surface treatments while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of operation

If an Ommaya reservoir is used for drug administration, then access to CSF is achieved, but chronic drug delivery and sampling capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCSF accessVSAvoidchronic infusion capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter system is designed to perform multiple functions: it enables both drug infusion and CSF sampling through separate lumens, and can be connected to either implantable or external pumps for chronic long-term drug delivery. The system provides universal access for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3490653B1Implantable intraventricular sampling and infusion access device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 BIOGEN MA INC
  • EP3490653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3490653B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3490653B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An intraventricular access device 100 may include more than one catheter 110 and a container 120. The catheter may include an aspiration lumen 110a and an infusion lumen 110b. A distal end of the intraventricular portion of the catheter may be positionable, during use, in a subject's brain fluid. The container may be coupled to a proximal end of the aspiration lumen. The proximal end of the aspiration lumen may be in fluid communication with the container. The proximal end of the infusion lumen may be in communication with an infusion pump. The device inhibits cross contamination between a first fluid in the aspiration lumen and a second fluid in the infusion lumen. The container may include a barrier positioned between a proximal opening of the aspiration lumen and at least a portion of the infusion lumen adjacent to and/or associated with the container.