Intrathecal Vasodilator Delivery for Collateral Circulation Activation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ischemic tissue damage due to restricted blood supply, such as in strokes, often lacks effective collateral circulation, necessitating methods to enhance blood flow bypass in the brain.

Innovation Solution

A treatment solution comprising hyperbaric cerebrospinal fluid and a nitric oxide donor compound, like sodium nitroprusside, is administered intrathecally to increase collateral circulation by dilating blood vessels and promoting blood flow around the brain and spinal cord.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If collateral vessels are naturally present in all patients, then the anatomical structure exists for potential blood flow bypass, but the vessels remain closed and do not open to provide actual blood flow restoration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollateral circulation functionalityVSAvoidvessel opening activation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning collateral vessels in a closed state within the patient's anatomy, ready to open when needed. The treatment method then activates these pre-existing vessels through intrathecal administration of vasodilators, converting the dormant collateral circulation into active blood flow pathways before ischemic damage occurs or during early stroke phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intrathecally administered vasodilator drugs as intermediaries to trigger the opening of collateral vessels. These medications act as mediators between the treatment goal (opening collateral circulation) and the physiological response (vessel dilation), enabling remote activation of collateral vessels through the cerebrospinal fluid pathway without direct vascular intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional stroke treatments are used, then standard care is provided, but collateral circulation is not effectively enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow restorationVSAvoidtreatment approach flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intrathecally administered vasodilators as an intermediary mechanism to enhance collateral circulation, providing a versatile treatment approach that can be adapted to different stroke scenarios. This method offers flexibility by targeting collateral vessel opening through a different anatomical pathway (intrathecal space) compared to conventional intravenous or intra-arterial treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by altering the physiological state of collateral vessels through pharmacological intervention. The intrathecal vasodilators change key parameters including vessel tone, blood flow velocity, and cerebral perfusion pressure, enabling the collateral circulation to transition from a closed to an open state and adapt to the ischemic condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If blood supply is restricted due to artery blockage, then ischemic damage occurs, but collateral circulation could potentially compensate if activated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveischemic tissue damageVSAvoidcollateral vessel opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by administering vasodilators intrathecally to prevent the harmful effects of ischemia before they fully manifest. By activating collateral circulation early in the stroke process, the treatment counteracts the blood supply restriction proactively, reducing the extent of tissue damage before irreversible injury occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intrathecally administered vasodilators as intermediaries to trigger collateral vessel opening and counteract ischemic damage. These medications serve as mediators that translate the treatment intent into physiological responses, enabling compensation for the blocked artery through alternative blood flow pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively increases collateral circulation, prevents or reverses cerebral vasoconstriction, and maintains normal cerebral blood flow patterns, as demonstrated in patient treatments, reducing the risk of ischemic damage and vasospasm.

Implementation Method 1

a treatment solution comprising a hyperbaric cerebrospinal fluid and a vasodilator, specifically a NO donor compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVasodilation:

Data Source

PatentUS10369228B2Method and composition for alleviating or preventing ischemic tissue damage

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 THOMAS JEFFREY E

AI summary

A method for increasing collateral circulation includes providing a pharmaceutically acceptable synthetic cerebrospinal fluid that has a density different than that of the patient's naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid. The synthetic cerebrospinal fluid includes a vasodilator. The method further includes administering the synthetic cerebrospinal fluid to an intrathecal space of a patient through a lumbar access point to reach the intrathecal space of a patient.