Developing Echogenic Materials as Catheters for Use with Ultrasound

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Medical Device Development
• Ultrasound Imaging

Background:

• Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are commonly used but pose risks like thrombosis and dislodgement.
• Current tracking methods rely on limited X-ray imaging, causing patient stress and diagnostic delays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop PICCs trackable in real-time using ultrasound, eliminating the need for X-rays.
• To enhance patient safety and diagnostic efficiency for PICC users.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of varying concentrations of glass microspheres into catheter material.
• Analysis of the effects on elastic modulus, ultrasound contrast, and cytocompatibility.
• Evaluation of defect-free samples in a soft tissue phantom.

Main Results:

• Catheter material with up to 5 wt % microspheres showed no significant change in elastic modulus.
• Higher concentrations (10 wt %) led to extrusion defects, hindering ultrasound imaging.
• Samples with 5 wt % microspheres demonstrated a significant increase in signal-to-noise ratio in phantom studies.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating 5 wt % glass microspheres enhances catheter echogenicity without compromising mechanical or cytocompatibility properties.
• This advancement offers a promising pathway for developing X-ray-free ultrasound-trackable medical devices.
• The study validates the potential of bulk echogenic effects for real-time tracking of polymeric medical devices.