TherVoyant: Catheter Backflow Reducer
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Project Overview
Inserting the catheter into the brain tissue causes microscopic tears to form in the tissue, forming a channel that allows the drug to flow backwards and away from the targeted area. Backflow describes when a drug flows along the outside of the catheter and away from the intended delivery site during injection, decreasing the accuracy of the treatment. Because of this backflow, many potential treatments for brain cancers and other neural diseases are ineffective or unable to be used. Currently, the most efficient method of drug delivery to the brain is by injection through a stepped catheter, however greater flow rates are still desired. Our goal for this semester is to identify, create, and adhere a novel biogel to a single use PEEK and fused silica brain catheter that will eliminate drug backflow and standardized for injection rates of up to six microliters per minute. Our biogel will be composed of a biocompatible matrix that adheres to the catheter as well as the surrounding tissue. The several constraints for the final device are it must be MRI compatible, biocompatible, sterilizable using heat treatment, and be small enough to deliver drugs within 2mm of a designated target. Ultimately, this product will also be FDA approved and feasibly manufacturable on an industrial scale.
Team Picture
Contact Information
Team Members
- Michael Nelson - Team Leader & Co-BPAG
- James Conklin - Communicator & Co-BPAG
- Connor Mcbrayer - BSAC & Co-BPAG
- Jacob Meyertholen - BWIG & Co-BPAG
Advisor and Client
- Prof. Justin Williams - Advisor
- Dr. Terrence Oakes - Client