Weeping Balloon Catheter With Perforated Outer Balloon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical balloon catheters face challenges in delivering therapeutic agents evenly along the length of a body vessel due to fluid pressure losses and wall shear stresses, leading to uneven distribution and potential overloading or underloading of the agent at different ends of the catheter.
Innovation Solution
The design of a multiple-balloon catheter with a perforated outer balloon and an inflatable inner balloon, where the annular space between them is configured to provide a consistent fluid flow through multiple holes, ensuring even delivery of the therapeutic agent along the length of the catheter by varying the cross-sectional area and shape of the balloons to minimize pressure losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a double balloon catheter with perforated outer balloon is used to deliver therapeutic agent, then local delivery to body vessel is achieved, but uneven distribution of therapeutic agent occurs due to fluid pressure losses and wall shear stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the hole characteristics (size, shape, or density) along the length of the outer balloon to compensate for pressure losses. Specifically, holes near the proximal end are made smaller or fewer in number compared to those at the distal end, creating non-uniform local properties that result in uniform overall distribution of the therapeutic agent along the balloon length.
2Quantity of substance
If therapeutic agent is delivered through perforated outer balloon, then treatment of body vessel is achieved, but overloading at proximal end and underloading at distal end occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the hole parameters (diameter, cross-sectional area, or spacing) along the longitudinal axis of the outer balloon. This creates a gradient in flow resistance that compensates for the pressure drop along the balloon, ensuring that the therapeutic agent is delivered at a substantially uniform rate to all segments of the body vessel.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional balloon catheter design is used, then结构简单性 is maintained, but fluid flow uniformity through multiple holes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the hole characteristics (size, shape, or density) along the length of the outer balloon to compensate for pressure losses. Specifically, holes near the proximal end are made smaller or fewer in number compared to those at the distal end, creating non-uniform local properties that result in uniform overall distribution of the therapeutic agent along the balloon length.
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
This configuration ensures that therapeutic agents are delivered evenly along the length of the body vessel, preventing wasteful release of excess fluid and maintaining effective delivery pressure, thereby reducing the risk of restenosis and improving treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
fluid pressure losses between the annular spaces along the length of the balloon due to the wall shear stresses on the fluid flowing between the balloons
Implementation Method 2
the balloon is inflated to dilate the target site of the body vessel lumen
Data Source
AI summary
Balloon catheters, and methods of treatment therewith, are provided including an inflatable first balloon at least partially enclosed by an expandable second balloon that has holes. The annular space between the first balloon and the second balloon is configured to promote delivery of the fluid evenly through holes in the second balloon to avoid problems of underloading and/or overloading. Preferably, the annular space is in communication with the holes, and the annular space is configured to receive and then to release and distribute the fluid via the holes in a substantially uniform manner such that even amounts of fluid are released in the distal and proximal holes. The first balloon may have various configurations including being tapered relative to the second balloon. The second balloon may also be tapered accordingly. The device may also include raised portions disposed in the annular space and configured to define channels having various configurations.