Weeping Balloon Catheter Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical multiple balloon catheters face challenges in maintaining low infusion pressure to reduce physical stress on cells during cell therapy, and are costly to manufacture effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of a multiple-balloon intraluminal fluid delivery catheter with an inner balloon and an outer balloon, where the inner balloon is inflated to create a flow path with a plurality of ridges that engage the outer balloon, forming annular and flow channels to reduce infusion pressure and enhance fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner balloon is inflated to create a flow path between the pressurized inner balloon and the perforated outer balloon, then fluid delivery is enabled, but the infusion pressure becomes too high causing excessive physical stress on cells
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple sections by dividing it into a first section and a second section. The first section has a first cross-sectional area and the second section has a second cross-sectional area that is larger than the first. This segmentation allows progressive expansion of the flow path, reducing pressure drops and enabling fluid delivery at lower infusion pressures, thereby reducing physical stress on cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path transitions from a smaller cross-sectional area in the first section to a larger cross-sectional area in the second section. This dimensional change in the flow path geometry allows for reduced flow resistance and lower required infusion pressure while maintaining effective fluid delivery through the weeping balloon.
2Reliability
If conventional multiple balloon catheters are manufactured to deliver cell therapy with low infusion pressure, then cell therapy effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path structure is merged with the balloon wall structure itself. The flow path is formed as an integrated part of the balloon construction, with the wall thickness varying to create the segmented flow channels. This merging eliminates the need for separate components or complex assembly processes, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the low infusion pressure capability for effective cell therapy delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
Method of forming a multiple balloon catheter includes extruding a tube and a plurality of ribs through a die to form a monolithic element that spans between first and second ends with the plurality of ribs extending along the length of the tube to define a corresponding number of a plurality of channels that extend along the length of the tube. Positioning a portion of the tube into a mold and constricting a proximal end portion and a distal end portion of the tube that is positioned in the mold. Inflating the tube to produce an inner balloon having a body portion that spans between proximal and distal end portions and cutting the inner balloon to separate the inner balloon from a remainder of the tube. Disposing an outer balloon including a plurality of holes around the inner balloon and aligning the plurality of holes with the plurality of channels.