Single Lumen Microcatheter Side Holes Plug Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter designs for treating brain arteriovenous malformations face challenges such as difficulty in forming a proximal plug, reflux of embolic agents, and prolonged procedural times, leading to suboptimal embolic agent delivery and increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A single-lumen micro-catheter with side holes or a hydrogel coating near the distal end, allowing for targeted delivery and formation of a plug, combined with valve technology for controlled flow, to facilitate effective embolic agent penetration and reduce reflux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-lumen catheter is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously execute multiple tasks (such as delivering embolic agent and forming plug) is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The single-lumen catheter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a distal delivery zone with side holes for embolic agent delivery and plug formation, and a proximal zone for wire manipulation and additional delivery functions. This spatial segmentation allows a single lumen to perform multiple tasks sequentially at different locations, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design enables preliminary plug formation at the distal end using the side holes before final embolic agent delivery. A microwire can be positioned to create a proximal plug that prevents reflux, preparing the delivery site in advance. This preliminary action allows the single-lumen catheter to execute multiple tasks (plug formation, reflux prevention, embolic delivery) in a coordinated sequence, maintaining procedural efficiency while using simpler structure.
2Reliability
If embolic agent is delivered to distal target, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but reflux of embolic agent along catheter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side holes positioned at the distal end enable preliminary embolic agent delivery and plug formation at the target site before full catheter deployment. This preliminary action creates a proximal plug that acts as a barrier, preventing subsequent reflux of the embolic agent along the catheter shaft while maintaining effective delivery to the distal target.
Solution Approach 2:
The micrawire serves as an intermediary element that can be positioned through the single lumen to create a mechanical barrier (proximal plug) against embolic agent reflux. The wire acts as a mediator between the embolic agent delivery and the catheter structure, enabling effective distal delivery while preventing harmful proximal reflux through the same single-lumen pathway.
3Reliability
If plug formation is attempted at distal end, then embolic penetration is improved, but procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter divides plug formation and embolic delivery into separate spatial zones using side holes at the distal end. The side holes allow embolic agent to be delivered directly to the target site for immediate plug formation, while the main lumen remains available for additional embolic delivery. This segmentation eliminates sequential delays by enabling simultaneous or near-simultaneous execution of plug formation and penetration delivery functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-lumen design with distal side holes enables continuous embolic agent delivery without interruption for separate plug formation steps. The side holes provide a continuous pathway for embolic agent to reach the distal target and form plugs, while the proximal portion of the lumen remains open for ongoing delivery, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the procedure and reducing procedural time.
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
This design enables faster plug formation, reduced procedural time, and lower X-ray radiation exposure, ensuring more effective and consistent embolic agent delivery to the target lesion.
Implementation Method 1
it has a thin layer of hydrogel adhered along the entire circumference of the catheter. The hydrogel can be such that it expands after a certain amount of time exposed to blood, or with a certain electrical magnetic signal, or with infusion of a certain triggering liquid, or other trigger.
Implementation Method 2
Liquid embolic agents are the preferred embolic material in endovascular treatment of pial and brain arteriovenous malformations and dural arteriovenous fistulas.
Data Source
AI summary
Micro-catheters and embolic agents offer better results in endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations. Using said micro-catheters and embolic agents generally requires the creating of a plug at the distal-most portion of said micro-catheters which regularly results in suboptimal results. The present invention teaches how to create and use a device which creates a plug downstream of the distal-most portion of said micro-catheters and thereby ameliorates the suboptimal outcomes associated with creating a plug at the distal-most portion of said micro-catheters.