Microfluidic Catheter Nebulization for Targeted Bronchial Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nebulizers have poor nebulization effects and limited applicability, leading to inefficient medication distribution during clinical endoscopic treatments, where medication may not fully reach lesions and can cause damage to ductal organs along the way.
Innovation Solution
An interventional catheter with a microfluidic chip-based mixing structure that includes a main channel, a lateral channel, and a distribution structure, allowing for independent flow channels for liquid and gas phases, which are mixed and nebulized within the chip to achieve efficient medication delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional nebulization administration is used, then medication can be administered to patients, but the medication cannot fully reach the lesions and may cause damage to ductal organs along the way
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple independent flow channels (first fluid inlet, second fluid inlet, outlet) with separate pathways for different fluids. The microfluidic chip segments the flow into multiple sub-channels that intersect at different positions, allowing precise control of fluid delivery to different locations without affecting other pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip acts as an intermediary device between the fluid sources and the target lesions. It provides a controlled environment for fluid mixing and distribution, ensuring that medications are delivered accurately to lesions without direct contact with or damage to intermediate ductal organs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing nebulizer structure is used, then nebulization can be performed, but the nebulization effect is poor and applicability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic chip structure serves multiple functions: it mixes different fluids, nebulizes them, and distributes them through multiple channels. The same device can handle different fluid phases (liquid and gas) and deliver them to different locations, making the nebulizer versatile for various clinical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lateral channel that intersects with the main channel at an angle, adding a spatial dimension to the fluid delivery system. This three-dimensional channel arrangement allows fluids to be delivered from different directions and positions, expanding the applicability of the nebulizer for treating lesions at various locations.
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 interventional catheter effectively improves the nebulization process, ensuring that medication reaches the target lesions efficiently while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues, thus enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing structure being provided at the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the fluid in the flow channel is output after being mixed by the mixing structure
Implementation Method 2
The interventional catheter effectively improves the nebulization process, ensuring that medication reaches the target lesions efficiently
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1f
Figure 2a~3a
AI summary
The present application relates to an interventional catheter, an interventional device, a nebulized medication delivery system, a control method, a nebulization method, and spraying system and method of treating medium. The interventional catheter includes a catheter body, wherein one end of the catheter body is a proximal end, and another end is a distal end that can extend into the bronchus. A flow channel that can deliver a fluid from the proximal end to the distal end is provided in the catheter body. A flow mixing structure is provided at the distal end of the catheter body. A microfluidic chip is provided in the flow mixing structure. A chip channel structure that inter connects an outlet with each fluid inlets is provided in the microfluidic chip. The chip channel structure includes: a main channel with one end connected to with a first fluid inlet at a proximal end side and another end connected to the outlet, and a lateral channel with one end connected to a second fluid inlet on a lateral side and another end connected to the main channel; a distribution structure that can act on at least a portion of the fluid being provided in the chip channel structure. The distribution structure that can act on at least a portion of the fluid is provided in the microfluidic chip. In the present application, the delivered fluid is nebulized by the microfluidic chip, which improves the nebulization effect.