Hollow Balloon Catheter with Flow Channels for Vessel Dilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balloon catheters cause temporary blockage of blood flow during dilation, leading to complications such as myocardial hypoxia, arrhythmias, and increased surgical risks due to limited time usage and small diameter holes that hinder blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A hollow balloon catheter device with integrated blood flow channels that maintain blood flow during vascular dilation by inflating to form open configurations within the blood vessel, allowing continuous blood flow through the channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional balloon catheter is inflated to dilate a blocked blood vessel, then the blood vessel is successfully dilated, but blood flow is blocked during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon structure is segmented into multiple independent channels (first blood flow channel and second blood flow channel) that allow blood to flow through different pathways simultaneously. The inflation tube is separated from the blood flow channels, enabling independent control of balloon inflation while maintaining blood flow through dedicated channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The blood flow channels act as intermediary structures that provide alternative pathways for blood flow during balloon inflation. These channels serve as mediators between the blocked vessel and the inflated balloon, allowing blood to bypass the dilation zone without being completely obstructed.
2Loss of time
If the balloon catheter is used for an extended period to perform thorough surgical procedures, then more time is available for surgery, but myocardial hypoxia and arrhythmias occur due to prolonged blood flow blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The blood flow channels ensure continuous blood flow throughout the balloon inflation period. Blood can continuously pass through the first and second blood flow channels while the balloon remains inflated, eliminating the need to deflate and reinflate the balloon during the procedure. This continuous blood flow maintains patient safety while allowing extended surgical time.
3Length of moving object
If small diameter holes are used in the wire structure to minimize device size, then the catheter can access smaller vessels, but blood flow is hindered due to surface tension at the hole openings
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on small holes in the wire structure, the invention creates a three-dimensional blood flow channel system within the balloon. The blood flow channels provide a larger cross-sectional area for blood flow compared to small holes, reducing surface tension effects while maintaining catheter accessibility to small vessels.
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
Enhances surgical safety by extending the time available for procedures, reducing the risk of complications like vascular blockage and organ damage, and ensuring stable blood supply to critical organs.
Implementation Method 1
The balloon is inflated via the inflation tube to dilate the blocked blood vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow balloon catheter device (100) includes a catheter portion (10) including a passage (101) defined therethrough, and a balloon (20) located at one end of the catheter portion (10). An inflation tube (30) passes through the passage (101) and extends into a balloon element (202). A blood flow channel (201) extends through the balloon (20). The balloon (20) is inflated via the inflation tube (30) to dilate a blocked blood vessel (200), while the blood flow channel (201) forms an open configuration and communicates with the blood vessel (200) after the balloon (20) is inflated so that blood continues to flow through the blood flow channel (201). This ensures that blood flow is not hindered or blocked, eliminating concerns about blood reflux or blockage for the doctor and avoiding operational errors due to time constraints.