Embolic Bead Delivery Apparatus with Automated Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering embolic particles via a catheter face challenges in preventing backflow and ensuring precise delivery to target arteries, which can lead to embolic particles lodging in non-target arteries.
Innovation Solution
A controlled apparatus comprising an internal syringe, linear actuator, valve, and controller that orchestrates the sequence of fluid flow and pressure management to accurately deliver embolic beads into a subject's artery, utilizing a combination of saline solution and check valves to prevent backflow and ensure precise injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If embolic particles are delivered via a catheter, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the risk of particles backing up and lodging in non-target arteries increases
Solution Approach 1:
A three-way valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the catheter lumen and the embolic particle delivery system. The valve mediates fluid flow by selectively opening to allow embolic particles to be pushed into the target artery while closing to prevent backflow of particles or fluid into the catheter or non-target arteries, thus resolving the contradiction between delivery precision and backflow risk
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control of embolic particle delivery is replaced with an automated system using a linear actuator to control the syringe plunger and a valve actuator to control the three-way valve. This automated mechanical system provides precise, controlled delivery while maintaining safety against backflow through programmable control sequences, improving reliability without increasing backflow risk
2Reliability
If an inflated balloon is used to seal the space between the catheter and artery wall, then backflow prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backflow prevention function is extracted from the catheter structure and relocated to a separate, dedicated three-way valve component. This separates the sealing function (still performed by the balloon) from the flow control function, allowing each component to be optimized independently and reducing overall device complexity by making the valve a standalone safety mechanism rather than an integrated catheter feature
3Ease of operation
If manual control of syringe and valve is used, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision and automation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automated control sequences that the controller executes without continuous manual intervention. The linear actuator and valve actuator are automatically coordinated through programmed sequences to first prime the system with saline, then deliver embolic particles, and finally flush the catheter, providing ease of operation while achieving high precision through automated timing and coordination
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 apparatus effectively prevents backflow and ensures precise delivery of embolic beads to the target artery, reducing the risk of embolic particles lodging in non-target arteries and enhancing the efficacy of treatments like reducing Ghrelin production for weight management.
Implementation Method 1
a plunger configured to draw fluid into the chamber via the orifice when the plunger is withdrawn and eject fluid out of the chamber via the orifice when the plunger is advanced
Implementation Method 2
The valve has a common port arranged in fluid communication with the orifice, a first port, a second port, and a third port, and the valve has a first operating state in which a fluid-flow path is provided between the first port and the common port, a second operating state in which a fluid-flow path is provided between the second port and the common port, and a third operating state in which a fluid-flow path is provided between the third port and the common port
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a combination of saline solution and check valves to prevent backflow and ensure precise injection
Data Source
AI summary
Controlled delivery of embolic beads into a subject's artery is achieved using a pump configured to draw fluid into a chamber and eject fluid from the chamber, one or more valves that control fluid-flow paths between three ports and the chamber of the pump, a valve actuator that places the one or more valves into various operating states, and a controller that controls the operation of the pump and the one or more valves in a controlled sequence. The various operating states interconnect one of the ports with a common port in fluid communication with the pump to achieve the controlled delivery of embolic beads.