Thermosensitive Polymer Lumen Occlusion via Radial Catheter Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for temporarily occluding body lumens are difficult to place and maintain, often result in incomplete obstruction, can be traumatic, and are prone to migration or recanalization, leading to ineffective temporary occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A thermosensitive polymer is introduced into the body lumen through a catheter tip, expelled radially to adhere to the lumen walls, and allowed to harden as it warms to body temperature, forming a plug that can be used to occlude the lumen temporarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical solid plug or occlusive device is placed in the body passageway, then occlusion is achieved, but the device may be incorrectly sized or shaped resulting in incomplete obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer's physical state is changed from liquid to solid through temperature change (body heat), allowing it to conform to the lumen shape and provide reliable occlusion without requiring precise pre-sizing
Solution Approach 2:
The thermosensitive polymer undergoes phase transition from liquid to gel/solid state when exposed to body temperature, enabling it to adapt to the lumen's irregular shape and provide complete obstruction
2Reliability
If an occlusive device is placed in the lumen, then flow is blocked, but the device may migrate or recannalization may occur leading to loss of occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer uses the body's own heat as the activating mechanism, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms that could fail or migrate, thereby maintaining stable occlusion throughout the desired temporary period
3Stress or pressure
If a balloon is used for occlusion, then high pressure can be withstood, but overpressurizing may injure the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer's viscosity and firmness are dynamically adjusted by temperature - liquid at room temperature for safe delivery, then solidifying at body temperature to provide occlusion without excessive pressure on surrounding tissues
4Reliability
If a thermosensitive polymer is expelled radially outward from the catheter tip, then adherence to lumen wall is improved, but the delivery system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer delivery is changed from axial (forward) direction to radial (outward) direction through side openings in the catheter tip, improving wall adherence by directing material perpendicular to the flow direction
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 solution provides a reliable, minimally invasive method for temporary occlusion that effectively blocks fluid flow, prevents particle travel, and can be easily removed or dissolved, addressing the limitations of existing devices by ensuring complete and secure obstruction without long-term implantation.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the thermosensitive polymer to harden as it warms to body temperature to form a plug in the body lumen
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily occluding a body lumen. A method in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention includes introducing a tip of a catheter into the body lumen, the tip including a central longitudinal axis; expelling a thermosensitive polymer from the tip of the catheter into a portion of the body lumen, with at least a portion of the thermosensitive polymer being expelled from the tip in a direction generally radially outward from the central longitudinal axis to improve adherence of the thermosensitive polymer to a wall defining the body lumen; and at least partially withdrawing the tip from the body lumen and allowing the thermosensitive polymer to harden as it warms to body temperature to form a plug in the body lumen.