Pumpless Thrombectomy Catheter Using Indirect Fluid Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrombectomy catheter systems require disposable pumps that are complex and costly to sterilize, adding complexity and expense to procedures, and these pumps are not reusable due to direct interaction with biological fluids.
Innovation Solution
A 'pumpless' catheter system design that uses a pressure chamber with a deformable infusion container and a non-compressible working fluid to indirectly pressurize the infusion fluid, isolating the pump from biological fluids and allowing for reuse, reducing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disposable pump is used to pressurize infusion fluid in direct contact with biological fluids, then sterility is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pump system into two isolated segments: a reusable pump that handles working fluid and a disposable catheter assembly that handles infusion fluid. This segmentation allows the pump to be sterilized independently or reused without direct contact with biological fluids, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining sterility where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A working fluid acts as an intermediary between the reusable pump and the infusion fluid. The pump pressurizes the working fluid, which then indirectly pressurizes the infusion fluid through a deformable container interface, preventing direct contact between the pump and biological fluids while maintaining functional connectivity.
2Reliability
If a disposable pump is used for each procedure, then sterility is ensured, but procedural cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows recovery and reuse of the expensive pump component while discarding only the disposable catheter and infusion container assembly. The pump can be sterilized and reused across multiple procedures, significantly reducing procedural costs while maintaining sterility through the disposable interface components.
3Loss of substance
If a reusable pump is used with direct contact with biological fluids, then cost decreases, but sterilization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid pathways so that the reusable pump handles only working fluid (non-biological), while the disposable catheter assembly handles infusion fluid (biological). This segmentation eliminates the need to sterilize the pump for biological fluid contact, reducing sterilization complexity while allowing pump reuse.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If a pumpless design with indirect pressurization is used, then pump reuse is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid serves as an intermediary that transmits pressure from the reusable pump to the infusion container indirectly. The pump pressurizes the working fluid, which then deforms the flexible container to pressurize the infusion fluid, enabling pump reuse without direct contact with biological fluids while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
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 efficiently removes thrombi by isolating the pump from direct contact with biological fluids, enabling reuse and reducing procedural costs and complexity while maintaining sterility.
Implementation Method 1
the working fluid is pressurized, and accordingly the pressure of the working fluid is applied to the infusion container and the infusion fluid therein
Implementation Method 2
the infusion container is deformable, for instance with the infusion container including a bag, or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A thrombectomy catheter system can include a catheter configured for insertion into vasculature of a patient. The system includes a pressure chamber configured to isolate an internal volume from a surrounding environment. The system can include an infusion container including an infusion fluid therein. The pressure chamber can receive the infusion container. A drive unit can pressurize a working fluid in the pressure chamber with the infusion container received in the pressure chamber. In an example, pressurizing of the working fluid correspondingly compresses the infusion container to pressurize the infusion fluid and transfer the infusion fluid to the catheter. In an example, the infusion fluid is isolated from the working fluid by the infusion container when the working fluid is pressurized in the pressure chamber.