External Pressure Sensor for Catheter Occlusion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring catheter status in implanted infusion systems, particularly those delivering therapeutic agents to cerebrospinal fluid, lack effective solutions for detecting malfunctions such as occlusions, leaks, or migration, especially for systems without on-board pressure sensors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a probe inserted percutaneously into a patient to be placed in fluid communication with an implanted catheter, equipped with a pressure sensor external to the patient, which detects characteristic pressure profiles to determine catheter status by comparing monitored pressures to predetermined profiles, using bolus infusions or withdrawals to identify occlusions, leaks, or proper function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure sensors are incorporated into implanted infusion devices, then catheter status can be monitored continuously, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external pressure sensor as an intermediary device that couples to the implanted catheter through a probe. This external sensor performs the pressure measurement function without being integrated into the implanted pump, thereby achieving continuous catheter status monitoring while keeping the implanted device's power consumption low. The external sensor acts as a mediator between the catheter and the monitoring system.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are incorporated into implanted infusion devices, then catheter malfunctions can be detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external pressure sensor and probe assembly serve as an intermediary monitoring system that adds detection capability without modifying the implanted pump's internal structure. This approach maintains the simplicity of the implanted device while enabling comprehensive catheter status monitoring through the external component.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring function is segmented from the implanted pump and placed in an external device. The system is divided into the implanted infusion device and the external pressure monitoring system, allowing each component to remain simple while the combined system provides advanced monitoring capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external pressure sensors are used to monitor catheter status, then existing implanted devices can be monitored, but the system requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The external pressure sensor system is designed as a universal monitoring solution that can be applied to multiple types of implanted infusion devices. The probe couples to standard catheter access ports, making the system compatible with existing implanted devices regardless of manufacturer or model, thereby providing broad adaptability without requiring device-specific modifications.
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 accurate monitoring of catheter status in implanted infusion systems without on-board pressure sensors, reducing power requirements and processing needs for the implantable device, and providing a mechanism to detect malfunctions in over 100,000 already implanted devices.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor, which may be external to the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the status of a catheter of an implanted infusion system, where the catheter is intended to deliver a fluid composition to CSF of a patient, includes monitoring catheter pressure, developing a pressure modulation profile based on the monitored pressure, and comparing the developed pressure modulation profile to a predetermined pressure profile. The predetermined pressure profile may be a profile of cerebrospinal fluid or a bolus infusion or withdrawal profile for the catheter. A determination of catheter status, such as properly functioning, occluded or leaky, can be made based on the comparison.