Steerable Catheter with Segmented Pull-Wire Steering for Lung Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering drugs to the lung are inefficient, as they often require high doses and result in systemic side effects due to lack of precision in targeting specific lung sites, making it challenging to effectively treat lung diseases like cystic fibrosis and lung cancer.
Innovation Solution
A steerable catheter device with a steering mechanism and controller, capable of navigating through the pulmonary airway tree to deliver a liquid microvolume of therapeutic agents directly to targeted sites in the lung, using a combination of pulling wires and imaging systems for precise positioning and air pressure to deposit a drug film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional systemic drug administration methods are used, then drugs can be easily administered, but precise delivery to specific lung sites cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent control. The catheter body includes multiple pull wires that can be independently actuated to steer different sections of the catheter, enabling precise navigation to specific lung regions while maintaining overall system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs a dynamic steering mechanism where pull wires can be selectively tensioned to bend the catheter into desired configurations. This dynamic control allows the catheter to adapt its shape and navigate complex airway pathways to reach targeted lung sites
2Reliability
If high doses of drugs are administered orally or intravenously, then therapeutic effects can be achieved, but systemic side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables localized drug delivery by positioning the catheter tip precisely at the target lung region. Drugs are administered locally through the catheter lumen directly onto the airway surface or into the lung parenchyma, achieving high therapeutic concentration at the disease site while minimizing systemic exposure and side effects
3Length of moving object
If conventional catheters are used, then simple structure is maintained, but navigation to remote lung parts is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent control. The catheter body includes multiple pull wires that can be independently actuated to steer different sections of the catheter, enabling precise navigation to specific lung regions while maintaining overall system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs a dynamic steering mechanism where pull wires can be selectively tensioned to bend the catheter into desired configurations. This dynamic control allows the catheter to adapt its shape and navigate complex airway pathways to reach targeted lung sites
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 precise and localized delivery of therapeutic agents to specific lung regions, reducing systemic absorption and potential damage, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes with minimal side effects.
Implementation Method 1
the steering mechanism comprises two or more pulling wires arranged along the elongate tubular member length and independently passing through the plurality of guide members; and a controller disposed at an end of the proximate section of the elongate tubular member and operatively engaged to the steering mechanism, wherein the controller is adapted to selectively increase tension force independently to each of the pulling wires
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer-vision based autonomous steerable catheter device and methods of using the same for targeted delivery of a liquid microvolume into the interior of a lung.