Echogenic Cannula Apertures for Targeted Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering fluids to target tissues, such as tumors, face challenges with fluid leakage or failure to maintain flow due to viscosity issues and difficulties in visualizing and navigating the cannula effectively, leading to undesirable engagement with healthy tissues.
Innovation Solution
A cannula design featuring a shaft with radially extending apertures and echogenic markers to facilitate precise delivery, where the apertures are shaped and sized to manage fluid viscosity and the markers aid in ultrasound-guided placement, ensuring targeted fluid delivery and minimizing engagement with adjacent tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fluid has low viscosity, then it can be easily delivered through the cannula, but it flows and leeches outside the target site upon delivery or over time after delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes temperature-dependent viscosity changes of the fluid. The fluid is delivered at a temperature where it has lower viscosity for easy injection, then undergoes a phase change or viscosity increase at body temperature to remain localized at the target site, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of delivery and localized retention
2Reliability
If the fluid has high viscosity, then it remains localized at the target site, but the dimensional parameters of the delivery cannula may not effectively deliver, deploy, disperse, or maintain flow of the fluid to the target site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic viscosity fluid that changes its flow properties based on temperature. The fluid starts with high viscosity for localized delivery, then becomes less viscous at body temperature to enable effective dispersal and maintenance of flow at the target site, resolving the contradiction between localization and delivery efficiency
3Device complexity
If traditional cannula design is used, then the structure is simple, but the cannula and target site are difficult for a medical professional to visualize and navigate for desirable fluid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates echogenic markers on the cannula that reflect ultrasound waves, making the cannula visible during ultrasound-guided procedures. These markers allow medical professionals to easily visualize and navigate the cannula to the target site without significantly increasing structural complexity, resolving the contradiction between simple design and detectability
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 cannula effectively delivers fluids to the target tissue while minimizing leakage and ensuring consistent flow, maintaining the fluid within the target site for extended periods, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing harm to surrounding tissues.
Implementation Method 1
At least one echogenic marker may be disposed along the shaft within or adjacent to the delivery portion
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid delivery devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein may include a cannula that may include a shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen. A plurality of radial apertures may be disposed along a delivery portion of the shaft. Each radial aperture may be in fluid communication with the lumen. At least one echogenic marker may be disposed along the shaft within or adjacent to the delivery portion. A body may be disposed within the distal end of the shaft.