Light-Activated Tissue Glue Catheter for Varicose Vein Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endovenous treatments for venous insufficiency and varicose veins, such as sclerotherapy and thermo-occlusive techniques, face challenges in achieving complete endothelium denaturation, precise vein closure, and long-term diameter reduction, often resulting in incomplete or temporary solutions due to issues like foam misplacement, inflammatory reactions, and incomplete energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A light-activated, biodegradable and biocompatible tissue glue is administered via a specially designed catheter that includes light-transferring elements for activation, allowing for precise distribution and separation from the catheter, enabling effective vein wall adhesion and significant diameter reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If foam sclerotherapy is used to treat varicose veins, then the treatment can reach curved and tortuous segments, but foam misplacement occurs frequently and success rates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A light-activated adhesive is introduced as an intermediary substance between the foam sclerotherapy agent and the vein wall. The adhesive is applied to the vein wall first, then foam is injected and adheres to the adhesive-coated surface, preventing misplacement and ensuring reliable treatment of curved and tortuous segments
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is applied to the vein wall before foam injection to prepare the surface for controlled foam adhesion. This preliminary action ensures that when foam is subsequently injected, it adheres precisely to the intended treatment area rather than migrating to incorrect locations
2Reliability
If thermal treatment is used for endovenous closure, then permanent vein closure is achieved, but the method is restricted to relatively linear vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The light-activated adhesive serves as a mediator that enables permanent closure by creating a stable bond between the foam and the vein wall in curved and tortuous segments, allowing thermal or chemical agents to remain in position and achieve reliable closure in previously inaccessible geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and adhesion properties of the treatment materials by using light-activated adhesive bonding. This parameter change allows the foam to transition from a migratory state to a fixed state on the vein wall, enabling treatment of curved and tortuous segments with permanent closure
3Manufacturing precision
If light-activated adhesive is used for vein closure, then precise distribution and separation from catheter is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is segmented into distinct functional components: an adhesive delivery system and a foam delivery system. This segmentation allows precise control over where and how each substance is applied, enabling accurate distribution and separation while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
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 achieves a 75% reduction in vein diameter, providing stable and complete endothelium denaturation, leading to improved clinical and optical results with reduced recurrence of venous insufficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source or a light transmitting element, or the catheter wall is made of a transparent, light-transferring material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to new compositions for sclerotherapy. In particular, the invention relates to the use of light activated biocompatible glues and catheter for the application of said glue. The catheter of the present invention comprises a light source for the glue activation.