Multi-lumen Catheter for Concurrent Drug Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for concurrent intravenous administration of multiple drugs are inefficient, painful for patients, and challenging due to the need for multiple vein access and coordination of multiple technicians, especially in urgent cases like acute myocardial infarction, where time is critical and drug-drug interactions can occur.
Innovation Solution
A device with a multi-lumen catheter and syringe holding mechanism that allows for simultaneous administration of multiple drugs through a single vein access, using a backboard with syringe holders and a piston-like rod to secure and drive syringes, preventing drug-drug interactions until administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple veins are cannulated simultaneously for concurrent drug infusion, then multiple drugs can be administered concurrently, but patient pain increases and venous access becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drug delivery functions into a single catheter system. The multi-lumen catheter allows multiple drugs to be administered through one vein access, merging what would otherwise require multiple separate vein cannulations into a single access point, thereby reducing patient pain and simplifying venous access while maintaining concurrent drug administration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is segmented into multiple lumens that remain separate until the point of injection. Each lumen maintains independent drug flow paths, preventing drug-drug interactions, while all lumens converge at a single outlet that connects to one syringe hub, enabling concurrent administration through a single vein
2Productivity
If multiple technicians coordinate simultaneous injection, then concurrent infusion can be achieved, but training requirements increase and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple syringe control functions into a single integrated hub. Multiple syringes connect to a common hub that features a unified plunger mechanism, allowing one technician to control all drug deliveries simultaneously through a single action, eliminating the need for multiple technicians to coordinate their injections
Solution Approach 2:
The single hub structure serves multiple functions: it receives multiple syringes, maintains separate fluid paths for each drug, and provides a unified control mechanism. This multi-functional design allows one technician to perform what would otherwise require multiple specialized operators
3Ease of operation
If drugs are mixed outside the patient's body, then concurrent administration is simplified, but adverse drug-drug reactions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter maintains segmented, separate lumens for different drugs throughout its length, preventing premature mixing. Each lumen carries its designated drug independently from the injection site back to the patient's vein, ensuring drugs remain separated until they enter the patient's bloodstream where they can be properly mixed by physiological processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the patient's own bloodstream as an intermediary mixing chamber. Drugs are delivered separately through isolated lumens and only mix after entering the venous system, where physiological conditions ensure proper mixing without adverse reactions that might occur in external mixing chambers
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are devices for concurrent intravenous infusion of multiple drugs. The device comprises a body with a syringe holding portion and a syringe driving portion, two or more syringes secured therein and a multi-lumen catheter with a plurality of inlet channels and a single outlet channel. Also provided is a method for treating acute myocardial infarction complicated by advanced acute heart failure in a patient. Two or more drugs, such as a beta-blocker and a positive inotropic agent, in prefilled syringes are secured in the device and administered simultaneously into a single vein in a patient without the drugs mixing prior to administration. In addition, a kit is provided that comprises the device and syringes prefilled with a beta-blocker and the positive inotropic agent.