Multi-occlusion Catheter Isolating Pancreatic Side Branches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical treatments face challenges in delivering therapeutic agents effectively to target tissues, such as the pancreas, due to systemic treatments not reaching the intended area efficiently and the difficulty in occluding side branches during localized treatment, leading to incomplete treatment and potential escape routes for treatment agents.
Innovation Solution
A multi-occlusion catheter system with a first and second catheter, each having occlusion members at their distal ends, and a third catheter that can be extended through a side port to occlude side branches, allowing for the isolation of a target region within a patient's body lumens and the delivery of therapeutic materials directly to the isolated area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single occlusion catheter is used to isolate a target region, then the device structure is simple, but side branches cannot be effectively occluded allowing treatment agents to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested catheter configuration where a first catheter with occlusion members is positioned within a second catheter that has a side port. A third catheter can be extended through the side port to reach and occlude side branches. This nesting arrangement allows multiple occlusion functions to be integrated within a unified catheter system, enabling reliable occlusion of both main vessels and side branches while maintaining a manageable device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system is divided into multiple functional segments: the first catheter with its occlusion members for main vessel control, the second catheter providing structural support and side access, and the third catheter for side branch occlusion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the third catheter specifically addressing the side branch occlusion need without complicating the overall system design.
2Quantity of substance
If systemic treatment is used to treat disease, then the treatment can reach all areas, but the therapeutic agent does not reach the target tissue efficiently and exposes surrounding tissues to unnecessary treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system enables localized delivery of therapeutic agents by occluding the target region and side branches, creating an isolated compartment where the therapeutic agent can be concentrated. The infusion lumen delivers the agent directly to the isolated target region, ensuring high local concentration while preventing the agent from dispersing to surrounding tissues through occluded side branches, thus eliminating the harmful exposure effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates controlled local delivery. The occlusion members create an isolated environment, and the infusion lumen serves as a controlled pathway for therapeutic agent delivery. This intermediary system allows precise spatial and temporal control of therapeutic agent release, concentrating the agent where needed while protecting surrounding tissues.
3Reliability
If full occlusion of the area of interest is attempted, then treatment isolation is improved, but side branches act as escape routes preventing complete occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the occlusion problem by adding a dimensional aspect - extending from the main catheter axis through the side port to reach side branches. This side extension allows the third catheter to access and occlude side branches that would otherwise be inaccessible, achieving complete treatment isolation by addressing the lateral dimension of vessel branching.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first catheter movably disposed within a first lumen of a second catheter. The first catheter has a first occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion and the second catheter has a second occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion. A third catheter has a third occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion and is moveably disposable within a second lumen of the second catheter. The second catheter has a side port in fluid communication with the second lumen and the third catheter can be extended out of the second lumen through the side port. The first occlusion member, second occlusion member and third occlusion member can collectively isolate a target region including a portion of a first body lumen (e.g., a main vessel) and a portion of a second body lumen (e.g., a branch of the main vessel).