Catheter with an anchoring tip for chronic joint capsule perfusion

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Veterinary medicine

Background:

• Long-term intra-articular access is crucial for managing synovial joint conditions.
• Existing methods for sustained joint access can be invasive or prone to complications.
• The need for reliable, minimally invasive solutions for continuous joint treatment or monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a novel orthopedic catheter for long-term synovial joint access in a canine model.
• To assess the performance of the catheter when connected to implantable drug infusion pumps or access ports.
• To determine the suitability of the device for administering therapeutic agents like hyaluronic acid.

Main Methods:

• Development and surgical implantation of an orthopedic catheter anchored by a hollow threaded tap into the canine joint capsule.
• Connection of the catheter's proximal end to either implantable access ports or drug infusion pumps.
• Administration of water and hyaluronic acid (5 mg/ml) via bolus injections or continuous infusion over extended periods (up to 33 weeks).

Main Results:

• The orthopedic catheter provided sustained access to the synovial joint in all four evaluated canine subjects.
• No adverse events or complications were reported during the study periods.
• Successful administration of water and hyaluronic acid was achieved through both access ports and the infusion pump.

Conclusions:

• The developed orthopedic catheter offers a viable and safe solution for long-term intra-articular access.
• This technology holds promise for continuous drug delivery, fluid sampling, and management of joint diseases.
• The canine model demonstrated the potential of this device for clinical applications in joint therapy.