Infusion Catheter Disperses Medicine Locally

A new infusion catheter isolates a specific vascular treatment region from blood flow to deliver a physician specified fluid.

The ND Infusion Catheter is a multilumen balloon catheter with microchannels designed for better mixing and dispersion of therapeutic agents, as well as delivering them to the target location under controlled blood flow conditions to maximize bioavailability, concentration, and residence time, while minimizing potential systemic effects. The catheter comprises an expansion chamber that regulates the flow velocity before the agent enters the multiple lumens, which is then dispersed through multiple channels at the distal end of the catheter. The spray mechanism leads to better mixing with the blood and potentially better tissue distribution.


The variable-diameter balloon is adaptabile to different vessel diameters. The catheter has a length of 135 cm and a diameter of 3F (1 mm), and is intended to be used with a 6F (2 mm) or larger guide catheter, along with a rapid exchange guide wire for positioning. An additional benefit is that balloon compliance minimizes pressure on the vessel wall during inflation, thus decreasing the incidence of vascular trauma. The ND Infusion Catheter is a product of Translational Research Institute (TRI; Gilbert, AZ, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“This innovative technology provides a strategic tool for physicians to deliver better patient care. Safety was top-of-mind when we designed the new infusion catheter,” said Nabil Dib MD, MSc, CEO of TRI, after whom the catheter is named (ND). “Studies show that the catheter reduces cellular clumping, improves dispersion, and reduces radial force, which collectively improves patient safety and procedure outcome efficacy.”

Infusion catheters are used for intravenous (IV) therapy to correct electrolyte imbalances, to deliver medications, for blood transfusion, to dissolve blood clots, or to correct electrolyte imbalances, among other uses. Infusion therapy can also be used for chemotherapy.

Related Links:
Translational Research Institute