Cauterizing Biopsy Catheter for Percutaneous and/or Vascular Intervention Charles Blyth Cristina Fernandez Scott Hittinger Cameron Jones Brian McGee

National Institute of Health NIH –“NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.” (

Brad Wood, MD & NIH Brad Wood, MD –Chief of Interventional Radiology Research –Image guided oncology, tumor ablation, minimally invasive procedure refinement –Ideal surgical suite –Radiofrequency ablation –Eliminating tumors more effectively, efficiently, and safely –Biopsy needle tissue cauterization

Our Project Biopsy (Kidney, Lung, and Liver) = Risk –Needle is large  possibility of internal bleeding and consequently death Cauterize tissue with extraction of biopsy needle Minimize blood loss

Past Attempts High RF Pulse –Cauterize after biopsy Tissue damage Collagen/Fibrin Plug –Pull Biopsy needle, inject compound Impractical Expensive

Past Attempts Fig. 1 – Fibrin Plug Injection 1 Fig. 2 – Left  no plug Right  with plug 1 Fig. 3 – High frequency RF ablation 2 1.Paulson et al. “Use of Fibrin Sealant as a Hemostatic Agent after Liver Biopsy in Swine”. Hepatic Intervention Pritchard et al. “Radiofrequency Cauterization with Biopsy Introducer Needle”. Journal of Vascular Interventional Radiology 2004.

Take Into Account - Practicality –What will actually work? –What materials are biocompatible? –What volume of blood are we talking about? –Allergies? Price –What can people afford? –What can insurance afford? Efficiency –Cauterize immediate surrounding tissue –Minimize blood loss –What is safe?

Biomaterials Epotek –Epoxy company –Biocompatible epoxy prohibits bleeding process Drug or Epoxy surrounding the needle –Insertion of needle  outer coating begins cauterizing surrounding tissue DURING biopsy

Timeline

Process and Software Involved Research –Current Procedures –Past procedures (in cauterization) –Biomaterials Design –Practical approach –Simple design –Effective and efficient –CAD –Thermal transport and fluid transport calculations Prototype Testing –Possible testing with pigs at the NIH in MD come March, 2007 Wrap-up