Expandable Infusion Segment for Targeted Clot Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for delivering fluids to target sites within blood vessels or cavities face challenges such as slow dissemination of fluids through clots, adverse effects due to fluid entering the bloodstream, and inefficiency in treating thrombosis and varicose veins, as they often require large volumes of drugs and can dislodge clots against vessel walls.
Innovation Solution
A device with an expandable infusion segment comprising multiple arms and fluid channels, allowing precise delivery of fluids to the inner vessel wall or clot core, with adjustable diameter and controlled pressure, flow rate, and direction, enabling targeted treatment and minimizing drug volume and risk of adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a catheter is used to infuse fluid to a target site within a blood vessel, then the device can deliver fluid to the target site, but it requires waiting a long time for the fluid to disseminate through the entire clot
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments along its length, with each segment containing independent fluid delivery channels. This segmentation allows simultaneous fluid delivery at multiple locations along the clot, dramatically increasing the speed of fluid dissemination and reducing treatment time compared to a single-point delivery system.
2Quantity of substance
If large amounts of fluid drugs are introduced to a target site such as a clot or inner vessel, then the treatment coverage is increased, but the fluid can enter the bloodstream once blood flow is restored, causing adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates multiple localized delivery points along its length, each capable of delivering precise amounts of drug directly to the clot. This distributed local delivery approach achieves comprehensive treatment coverage while minimizing the total drug quantity needed and preventing systemic overflow, as each segment delivers only the necessary amount to its local target area.
3Quantity of substance
If drug delivery balloons are used, then fluid can be delivered to the target site, but they take up volume in the device and are known to force clots against the wall of the vein
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the balloon component entirely from the device design, replacing it with a catheter-based system that delivers fluid through multiple channels along its length. This eliminates the volume occupation problem and, more importantly, removes the mechanism that forces clots against the vessel wall, as the catheter delivers fluid in a controlled manner through distributed ports rather than through balloon expansion.
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 device effectively delivers fluids to the outer edges or core of clots, breaking them away from vessel walls, preventing reformation, and allows precise drug delivery to varicose veins, minimizing drug volume and risk of systemic distribution, thus enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A first amount of fluid is delivered through at least one infusion port to an inner wall of the hollow anatomical structure... The user can control the pressure of the fluid, the flow rate, and also the manner in which the fluid is delivered
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device system is provided herein which has an elongated, flexible hollow member with an expandable infusion segment attached at the most distal end of the device. The device has a plurality of fluid infusion ports on the expandable infusion segment for delivering an intended fluid to a target site in a body lumen. Additionally, a method is provided herein for infusing an intended fluid to a target site within a body lumen.