Microporous PTFE Catheter Flow Control for Brain Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion systems for delivering drugs to brain tumors face challenges such as limited drug penetration through the blood-brain barrier, uneven distribution, and rapid concentration fall-off, leading to reduced efficacy and unwanted side effects.
Innovation Solution
A multicatheter system using microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) catheters with microfluidic flow control, allowing for customizable and even drug distribution across larger volumes by integrating multiple catheters with low flow resistance lumens and high flow resistance walls, ensuring consistent long-term delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flow rate is increased to deliver sufficient drug to larger tumors, then drug delivery volume is improved, but reflux occurs along the catheter back to the surface causing drug to go outside the target
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments with side ports distributed along its length, allowing drug delivery at multiple locations simultaneously. This segmentation prevents reflux by providing multiple egress points for the infusate, reducing backflow along the catheter tract while maintaining adequate delivery volume to larger tumors.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter are given different flow resistance characteristics through varying side port configurations. The distal side ports have different flow resistance than proximal side ports, creating localized flow control that directs infusate preferentially toward the target while minimizing reflux to the surface.
2Area of stationary object
If manufactured catheter side ports are used to distribute infusate, then distribution coverage is improved, but flow resistance is variable and unpredictable causing non-uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a porous section with controlled porosity that provides uniform flow resistance across all side ports. This porous material ensures predictable and uniform infusate distribution to all ports, eliminating the variability associated with traditionally manufactured side ports while maintaining broad distribution coverage.
3Device complexity
If single end port catheters are used for drug delivery, then device simplicity is improved, but flow rate is limited and concentration falls off rapidly reducing efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented with multiple side ports along its length in addition to the end port, transforming a single-point delivery system into a distributed delivery system. This allows increased total flow rate and maintains drug concentration over a larger volume, improving efficacy without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter transitions from one-dimensional end-port-only delivery to multi-dimensional delivery by adding side ports at multiple locations along the catheter length. This dimensional expansion allows drug distribution throughout a three-dimensional tumor volume, maintaining concentration efficacy while increasing overall productivity.
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 system achieves broader and more even drug distribution within the target area, reducing side effects and improving therapeutic efficacy by maintaining consistent drug concentrations over time.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the elongated body comprises a region having a microporous structure; wherein the microporous structures are configured to allow the infusate to egress from the microporous structure to the selected site
Data Source
AI summary
System and method to improve drug delivery to identified regions in the brain or elsewhere through direct infusion of a therapeutic agent or the like into that region. This direct infusion will allow for greater concentrations of the agent in the target region while reducing concentrations elsewhere in the body where these agents may be toxic. The system and method improves efficacy while reducing unwanted side effects. The system includes an array of multiple, independently targeted, microporous catheters for insertion into the target region and a distribution system that allows for individualized flow control to each catheter. The system may be connected to a reservoir that contains the therapeutic agent, and flow to the system is maintained through one or more pumps. This system will greatly improve on the current single catheter infusion design and shall provide therapy, delivered through multiple catheters, thus delivering the therapy evenly over a customizable volume.