Embolization Catheter Filter for Reflux-Free Microsphere Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolization catheters face challenges with non-target embolization and backflow of embolic material, particularly in radioembolization therapy, due to the use of tiny beads and low viscosity liquids, which damage healthy tissues and impair treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A microcatheter with a filter having strategically placed, uniquely shaped openings that prevent backflow of embolization particles while allowing fluid outflow, ensuring concentrated delivery to the target tissue, and maintaining structural integrity and flexibility for navigation through tortuous vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard microcatheter is used for embolization, then the catheter can deliver embolization material to the target tissue, but non-target embolization and backflow occur, causing damage to healthy tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple functional sections: a proximal section for insertion, a mid-section with a filter having multiple apertures, and a distal tip for delivery. The filter section segments the embolization material flow, allowing controlled release while preventing backflow and non-target embolization.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter structure with multiple apertures is introduced as an intermediary component between the catheter lumen and the target tissue. This filter acts as a mediator that prevents embolization material from reaching non-target tissues while still allowing delivery to the intended target, thus eliminating the harmful effect without blocking the useful function.
2Strength
If the catheter is made stiff to maintain structural integrity, then it can withstand embolization forces, but it cannot navigate tortuous blood vessels effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flexible distal portion for navigation through tortuous vessels, a mid-section with the filter, and a proximal section for manipulation. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties - flexibility where needed and strength where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs composite construction combining flexible polymeric materials with reinforced sections. The flexible portions use soft polymeric coatings while reinforced sections include metal alloys or cross-linked polymers, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves navigability and structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter is made flexible to navigate tortuous vessels, then it can reach the target area, but it cannot maintain sufficient structural integrity for embolization delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into functional segments with different mechanical properties. The distal navigation portion is highly flexible to traverse tortuous vessels, while the proximal delivery portion incorporates reinforcement elements to maintain structural integrity during embolization material delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter uses composite material construction with flexible polymeric sections for navigation and reinforced sections containing metal alloys or cross-linked polymers for maintaining structural integrity. This allows the catheter to be both navigable and structurally sound.
4Reliability
If the filter openings are made large to allow fluid outflow, then backflow is reduced, but embolization particles can pass through causing non-target embolization
Solution Approach 1:
The filter apertures are designed with specific local characteristics - they are sized to permit fluid outflow while being too small for embolization particles to pass through. The aperture dimensions are locally optimized to create a size-selective barrier that distinguishes between fluid molecules and particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is constructed using porous material with controlled pore sizes. The porous structure allows fluid molecules to pass through while blocking larger embolization particles, achieving backflow prevention without particle leakage through the filter medium.
5Reliability
If the filter has many openings to prevent backflow, then fluid outflow is improved, but the structural integrity of the microcatheter wall is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter openings are distributed locally in specific patterns rather than uniformly across the entire catheter wall. The aperture density and distribution are locally optimized to provide adequate backflow prevention while preserving sufficient structural integrity in critical areas of the catheter wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure uses composite material construction combining porous filtering material with reinforcing elements. This composite approach allows numerous openings for backflow prevention while the reinforcing matrix maintains the structural integrity of the catheter wall.
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 microcatheter enables higher injection rates of embolization particles to the target tissue with reduced non-target embolization, enhancing treatment effectiveness and safety by preventing backflow and maintaining catheter usability and regulatory compliance.
Implementation Method 1
a filter having a plurality of side openings formed in the wall of the microcatheter, proximal to and at a predetermined distance from the distal end opening... Each opening being small enough to prevent passage of the embolization particles
Data Source
AI summary
An embolization microcatheter for delivery of embolization beads to a target area, the embolization microcatheter including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end terminating in an end opening sized and shaped to allow delivery of a suspension of the embolization beads, and a filter section located in proximity to the end opening of the distal end; the filter section including a large plurality of openings distributed circumferentially around a wall thereof, the filter section configured to allow an outflow of the suspension while preventing an outflow of the embolization beads.