Segmented Balloon Catheter for Blood-Flow Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug-coated balloons (DCBs) block blood flow when deployed in an expanded configuration, limiting their deployment time and hindering adequate drug absorption by the vessel wall, which can lead to inefficient therapeutic outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter with a balloon assembly comprising interconnected sub-balloons forming a fluid flow channel, allowing blood flow while the balloon is expanded, and a catheter assembly with a fluid inlet channel for drug coating absorption by the vessel wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the balloon is expanded in a blood vessel to deliver the drug coating, then the drug can be brought into contact with the vessel wall, but the balloon blocks blood flow causing severe ischemia of distal tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon body is divided into multiple interconnected sub-balloons (first sub-balloon, second sub-balloon, etc.) that are coaxially arranged. The inner surfaces of these sub-balloons together define a fluid flow channel that extends through the balloon body along its axis, allowing blood to flow through the center while the balloon remains expanded against the vessel wall for drug delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If the balloon is expanded for a limited period to avoid ischemia, then blood flow is maintained, but adequate absorption of the drug coating by the vessel wall is disallowed
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon body is divided into multiple interconnected sub-balloons (first sub-balloon, second sub-balloon, etc.) that are coaxially arranged. The inner surfaces of these sub-balloons together define a fluid flow channel that extends through the balloon body along its axis, allowing blood to flow through the center while the balloon remains expanded against the vessel wall for drug delivery.
3Device complexity
If a traditional balloon structure is used, then the structure is simple, but the balloon must be fully expanded which blocks the entire vessel lumen
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon body is divided into multiple interconnected sub-balloons (first sub-balloon, second sub-balloon, etc.) that are coaxially arranged. The inner surfaces of these sub-balloons together define a fluid flow channel that extends through the balloon body along its axis, allowing blood to flow through the center while the balloon remains expanded against the vessel wall for drug delivery.
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
Enables prolonged deployment without blocking blood flow, ensuring adequate drug absorption and improved therapeutic outcomes by maintaining contact with the vessel wall.
Implementation Method 1
the drug coating will separate from the balloon surface and instead adhere to the blood vessel wall, thus delivering its intended therapeutic effect on a lesion site in the blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
After a DCB is delivered into a blood vessel, it can be inflated into contact with the wall of the blood vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a balloon catheter including a balloon assembly and a catheter assembly. The balloon assembly includes a balloon body including a plurality of interconnected sub-balloons, each of the sub-balloons is a hollow annular structure; and all the sub-balloons are coaxially arranged so that inner surfaces of all the sub-balloons together define a fluid flow channel extending through the balloon body along an axis thereof. A distal end of the catheter assembly is inserted within the fluid flow channel and connected to at least a distal-most one of the sub-balloons. The catheter assembly defines a fluid inlet channel in communication with all the sub-balloons. The fluid inlet channel is configured for flow of an inflation medium therethrough into all the sub-balloons, thereby inflating the balloon body. During use of the balloon catheter in a blood vessel, blood flow therein will not be blocked, preventing ischemia of downstream tissues that may otherwise occur. Thus, the balloon is allowed to be deployed in an expanded configuration for a period of time long enough to ensure adequate absorption of a drug on an outer surface of the balloon assembly by the wall of the blood vessel, resulting in improved therapeutic outcomes.