Intravenous Catheter Covalent Anticoagulant Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intravenous catheters are prone to occlusion due to blood clot formation, which requires premature replacement and is not reliably addressed by existing flushing processes.
Innovation Solution
The intravenous delivery system incorporates anticoagulant coatings, specifically triblock copolymers like Pluronic F108, covalently bonded to interior surfaces to prevent blood clot formation, and may also include exterior surface coatings to reduce clot adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catheter materials are used, then the device structure remains simple, but blood clot formation occurs on catheter surfaces leading to occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a hybrid coating system combining triblock copolymer (Pluronic F108) for anticoagulant properties with chitosan for enhanced biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by providing superior clot resistance while maintaining structural integrity through the synergistic combination of materials rather than simple single-material coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the surface chemical composition and physical properties of the catheter by applying anticoagulant coatings that change the surface energy, hydrophilicity, and charge characteristics. These parameter changes at the surface level prevent protein adsorption and platelet adhesion without altering the bulk mechanical properties of the catheter, thus improving reliability while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
2Productivity
If catheter components are replaced due to occlusion, then fluid flow is restored, but time and attention from health care professionals are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The anticoagulant and antimicrobial coatings are applied during the manufacturing process before the catheter enters clinical use. This preliminary action prevents clot formation and microbial contamination from occurring in the first place, thereby extending the catheter's service life and eliminating the need for premature replacement, which directly addresses both productivity improvement and time loss reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the catheter from a short-lived disposable item requiring frequent replacement to a long-lasting durable device. By incorporating robust anticoagulant and antimicrobial coatings that prevent occlusion and infection, the catheter's functional lifespan is extended significantly, reducing the frequency of replacement and associated time losses while maintaining the disposable nature for safety.
3Reliability
If flushing is performed regularly to remove clots, then some clots may be cleared, but the process is not sufficiently reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter surface is pre-treated with anticoagulant coatings that actively prevent clot formation before clots can form and cause occlusion. This preliminary anti-action approach is fundamentally more reliable than reactive flushing, as it addresses the root cause of occlusion rather than attempting to remove formed clots, thereby eliminating the need for complex and unreliable flushing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful interaction between blood and catheter surfaces into a beneficial outcome by using the blood components themselves (proteins, platelets) that would normally cause clotting to instead adsorb onto the coating in a controlled manner that prevents pathological clot formation. This transforms the harmful clotting tendency into a protective surface layer that actually prevents occlusion.
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 anticoagulant coatings significantly reduce blood clot formation, extending the lifespan of catheter components and minimizing the need for premature replacement by creating a barrier that inhibits clot growth and adherence.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more anticoagulant coatings includes a triblock copolymer. The triblock copolymer may be covalently bonded to the first interior surface.
Implementation Method 2
The triblock copolymer may be covalently bonded to the first interior surface.
Implementation Method 3
US 2013/158517 relates to catheters for introduction and removal of fluids from the human body according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the catheters comprise a polymeric material on the exterior and/or intraluminal surfaces thereof to reduce microbial attachment, biofilm formation, platelet attachment or thrombus formation.
Data Source
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AI summary
[0058] An intravenous delivery system may have a plurality of components with interior surfaces that cooperate to define a fluid pathway through which fluid flows into a body of a patient. One or more anticoagulant coatings may reside on one or more of the interior surfaces to restrict blood clot formation in the fluid pathway. Manufacture of the intravenous delivery system may commence with provision of the components and preparation of an anticoagulant solution. The one or more interior surfaces may be exposed to the anticoagulant solution to form the anticoagulant coating. The anticoagulant coating may be caused to adhere to the one or more interior surfaces. The anticoagulant solution may be prepared by dissolving a triblock copolymer, such as PEO-PPO-PEO or PEO-PBD-PEO, in water. Irradiation may be applied to the anticoagulant coatings and interior surfaces to form covalent bonds.