Expandable Medical Device With Polymeric Network Microparticle Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical treatments for blocked arteries, such as PTCA and stent implantation, often require additional delivery of therapeutic agents to prevent restenosis or vessel damage, but lack an efficient mechanism for controlled release of these agents at the treatment site.
Innovation Solution
An expandable medical device with a polymeric network and embedded microparticles that retains the particles in a collapsed configuration and releases them in an expanded configuration, utilizing a polymeric network with varying pore diameters to control the release of therapeutic agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an expandable medical device is used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the therapeutic agent can be released at the treatment site, but the device complexity increases due to the need for expandable substrate and polymeric network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the expandable substrate, polymeric network, and microparticle delivery system into a single integrated device. The polymeric network is applied directly to the expandable substrate, and microparticles are embedded within the network, creating a unified structure that delivers therapeutic agents while maintaining device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable substrate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the polymeric network, enables controlled expansion to release microparticles, and acts as the delivery platform for therapeutic agents. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the polymeric network retains microparticles in collapsed configuration, then controlled release is achieved, but the manufacturing precision must be high to ensure proper pore diameter control
Solution Approach 1:
The microparticles are embedded in the polymeric network during the manufacturing process, before the device is deployed. This preliminary embedding ensures proper distribution and retention of microparticles within the network structure, with the pore diameter already optimized for retention during the collapsed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric network exhibits parameter changes in its pore diameter based on the expansion state of the substrate. In the collapsed configuration, the pore diameter is reduced to retain microparticles, while in the expanded configuration, the pore diameter increases to allow release. This dynamic parameter change enables controlled release without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If the microparticle diameter is greater than the collapsed pore diameter, then particles are retained during delivery, but the release mechanism requires significant expansion force
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric network transitions from a static retention structure to a dynamic release mechanism through expansion. The network's pore diameter dynamically changes with the expansion state of the substrate, allowing the same structure to both retain microparticles during delivery and release them at the treatment site with controlled force distribution.
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
Enables controlled and prolonged release of therapeutic agents at the treatment site, potentially reducing restenosis and vessel damage, with the ability to retain or release microparticles based on the device's configuration, enhancing the effectiveness of arterial treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The polymeric network has a first effective pore diameter when the expandable substrate is in a collapsed configuration and the microparticles have an average diameter greater than the first effective pore diameter of the polymeric network such that the microparticles remain entrapped within the polymeric network when the expandable substrate is collapsed
Implementation Method 2
the expandable substrate is expanded to the expanded configuration to release the entrapped microparticles
Implementation Method 3
at least some of the polymers in the polymeric network break or rupture when the expandable substrate is in the expanded configuration thereby forming one or more openings at one or more locations that are sufficiently large to allow the release of the microparticles from the polymeric network
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a medical device that has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration wherein one or more polymeric network layers are applied to the substrate and microparticles embedded in the polymeric network. The polymeric network layer or layers is/are configured to retain the microparticles when the device is in a collapsed configuration and to release the microparticles when the device is in an expanded configuration. Methods for delivering a therapeutic agent using the device and making the device are also disclosed.