Renal Capsule Catheter Access for Minimally Invasive Decapsulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to access the renal capsule in a minimally invasive and/or catheter-based manner, limiting the ability to treat renal dysfunction and heart failure effectively.

Innovation Solution

Access the subcapsular space of the renal capsule using a guidewire and catheter system, which can be advanced intravascularly, non-vascularly, or percutaneously, to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as decapsulation, pressure relief, and drug delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical removal of the renal capsule is performed to improve kidney function, then renal function is improved, but the invasiveness and surgical risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekidney functionVSAvoidsurgical risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A catheter-based system serves as an intermediary tool to access the renal capsule space without requiring direct surgical intervention. The catheter delivers therapeutic agents and performs decapsulation procedures through a minimally invasive percutaneous approach, mediating between the external environment and the renal capsule while avoiding major surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical surgical system (surgical instruments, incisions, direct manipulation) with a catheter-based system that uses flexible delivery catheters, balloons, and controlled expansion mechanisms to achieve decapsulation and therapeutic delivery through minimal access points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If percutaneous catheter-based approach is used to access the renal capsule, then the invasiveness is reduced, but the ability to perform therapeutic procedures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidtherapeutic procedure capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter system is designed with multi-functionality to perform various therapeutic procedures through a single access point. The system can deliver therapeutic agents, perform decapsulation using expandable balloons, measure pressures, and administer treatments for different renal conditions, making the minimally invasive approach equally versatile as surgical methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter system employs nested components where smaller functional elements (balloons, drug delivery mechanisms, sensors) are contained within the catheter structure. These nested components can be deployed sequentially or simultaneously to perform multiple functions through the same access route, enabling complex procedures through a single percutaneous puncture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12564423B2Systems and methods for accessing a renal capsule for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for accessing a renal capsule of a patient's kidney in a minimally invasive manner for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes. The method includes advancing the distal end of a catheter into the subcapsular space of the renal capsule and performing the therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedure(s). With access to the renal capsule, the catheter may be used to, for example, remove fluid from the subscapular space, decapsulate the renal capsule by disrupting the fibrous capsule of the renal capsule to relieve renal pressure, displace the fibrous capsule from the kidney, measure/monitor renal pressure within the kidney, and/or deliver drug therapy and/or stem cells, viruses for gene therapy, RNAi, nanoparticles, dyes, etc. to the subcapsular space of the renal capsule.