Microporous Balloon Catheter for Faster Air Purging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balloon catheters face challenges in purging air effectively and efficiently from the inflation lumen and balloon interior due to closed-end fluid paths, leading to prolonged and often incomplete purging processes, which can cause embolisms or trauma to patients.

Innovation Solution

The balloon catheter is designed with a microporous or micro-holed outer member that allows air to pass through and is sealed by contrast agent, enabling rapid and complete purging of air from the inflation lumen and balloon interior in a single aspiration step.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional closed-end balloon catheters are used, then structural integrity and sealing are maintained, but air purging becomes prolonged and incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter sealing integrityVSAvoidair purging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The outer member is segmented into micropores distributed along its length, creating multiple air egress pathways. This segmentation allows air to escape at multiple locations simultaneously during purging, dramatically reducing the time required while maintaining catheter integrity through the controlled micropore structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The micropores are pre-configured in the outer member before use, creating ready-made air egress pathways. This preliminary structure eliminates the need for complex purging procedures, as air can immediately escape through the pre-positioned micropores when fluid is introduced, reducing purging time without compromising sealing integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If microporous outer member is used, then air purging speed is improved, but contrast agent leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair purging speedVSAvoidcontrast agent leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer member is constructed from microporous material with specifically controlled pore sizes that allow air molecules to pass through while blocking larger contrast agent molecules. This porous structure enables rapid air purging while inherently preventing contrast agent leakage through size-based filtration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The micropores are strategically distributed along the outer member at locations optimized for air escape while maintaining structural integrity. This local quality variation ensures that air purging occurs efficiently at specific zones without compromising the overall sealing capability of the catheter structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If multiple catheter shafts are used for guide catheter, then structural support is adequate, but catheter profile becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter structural supportVSAvoidcatheter outside diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inflation lumen and outer member structural support functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The outer member simultaneously provides mechanical strength and contains the inflation pathway, eliminating the need for separate support structures and reducing the overall catheter profile while maintaining adequate structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration significantly reduces purging time, ensuring thorough air removal and catheter readiness for surgical procedures, minimizing patient risk by preventing air embolisms.

Implementation Method 1

The outer member is formed of a microporous material such that the wall of the outer member has micropores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorous material: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

The micropores are configured to allow air to pass through the wall of the outer member when a contrast agent is injected into the outer member lumen... the micropores allow air to pass through, and thereafter become clogged by the contrast agent thereby sealing the micropores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12465730B2Balloon catheter with porous outer member for air purging

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and effective purging of air. The catheter includes an elongated, flexible catheter having a tubular outer member and a tubular inner member each having a respective lumen. The inner member is at least partially disposed in the outer member lumen such that an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member together define an annular inflation lumen. The outer member has micropores or micro-holes configured such that when a contrast agent is injected into the inflation lumen, the micropores or micro-holes allow air to pass therethrough and thereafter become clogged by the contrast agent. The catheter also has a balloon member having its ends secured to and circumferentially around the outer member such that an inner surface of the balloon member and the outer surface of the outer member define an inflatable balloon interior.