Multi-lumen Catheter for Thermal Ablation and Stem Cell Hydrogel Delivery
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tissue ablation techniques are non-selective, causing unintended damage to surrounding tissues and impeding natural repair processes, as they mediate cell death through extreme heat or cold, leading to inefficient reconstruction and regrowth of damaged tissues.
Innovation Solution
An energy delivery device with multiple lumens for thermal treatment, infusion of hydrogels embedded with stem cells, and delivery of ultraviolet light to cure the hydrogels, allowing for successive introduction of thermal treatment, stem cell infusion, and UV light application to enhance tissue regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ablation techniques use extreme heat or cold to mediate cell death, then cell death in target region is achieved, but surrounding tissue is non-selectively damaged and natural repair processes are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into distinct phases: ablation phase using RF energy to destroy target tissue, followed by a regeneration phase where growth factors and stem cells are introduced. This temporal segmentation allows selective destruction of target cells while preserving surrounding tissue integrity and enabling subsequent repair processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Growth factors and stem cells serve as intermediary agents that mediate the transition from destruction to regeneration. These intermediaries are introduced after ablation to stimulate natural repair mechanisms, promote tissue regeneration, and protect surrounding healthy tissue from damage, thereby resolving the harmful effects of conventional ablation.
2Reliability
If conventional ablation techniques are used, then cell death is achieved, but tissue reconstruction and regrowth are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by introducing growth factors and stem cells immediately after ablation, before natural repair processes can begin. This preliminary introduction of regenerative agents primed the tissue environment for efficient reconstruction, accelerating tissue regrowth and restructuring compared to conventional methods that wait for natural repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment maintains continuity of useful action by seamlessly transitioning from the destructive ablation phase to the constructive regeneration phase. Growth factors and stem cells are continuously present during the repair process, ensuring uninterrupted tissue reconstruction and regrowth, thereby significantly improving productivity compared to conventional intermittent treatments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-lumen tubes are used to deliver ablation energy and therapeutic agents, then combined functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter device is designed with multi-lumen tubes that enable it to perform multiple functions: delivering RF ablation energy through one lumen, introducing growth factors through another lumen, and delivering stem cells through a third lumen. This universal design allows a single device to accomplish what previously required multiple separate devices, managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where multiple functional components are contained within a single catheter body. The multi-lumen tubes are nested within the catheter housing, with each lumen carrying different therapeutic agents or energy. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions into a compact, manageable device structure, reducing operational complexity despite increased versatility.
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 approach facilitates effective ablation followed by regenerative therapies, increasing the rate of tissue regrowth, reconstruction, and cellular repopulation, potentially reducing patient recovery times and improving tissue regeneration in various tissue types.
Implementation Method 1
When an RF voltage is provided between the ablation electrode and the reference ground, RF current flows from the ablation electrode through the body. Typically, the current density is very high near the tip of the ablation electrode, which heats and destroys the adjacent tissue.
Implementation Method 2
a third lumen configured to facilitate delivery of ultraviolet (UV) light to the target region of tissue for curing the hydrogels applied to the target region of tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy delivery device for administering tissue therapy is presented including a housing and an elongated body extending distally from the housing. The energy delivery device also includes a first lumen extending a length of the elongated body, the first lumen configured to facilitate application of thermal treatment to a target region of tissue and a second lumen extending the length of the elongated body, the second lumen configured to facilitate infusion of hydrogels embedded with stem cells to the target region of tissue thermally treated. The energy delivery device further includes a third lumen configured to facilitate delivery of ultraviolet (UV) light to the target region of tissue for curing the hydrogels. A distal end of the elongated body is positioned in proximity to the target region of tissue for enabling successive introduction of the thermal treatment, infusion of the hydrogels, and delivery of the UV light.