Convection-enhanced delivery with controlled catheter movement: A parametric finite element analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology

Background:

• Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an investigational brain tumor treatment.
• Current CED methods struggle to deliver therapeutics to a sufficient tissue volume for glioblastoma treatment.
• Controlled catheter movement shows promise for improving CED efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a computational model predicting the volume dispersed (Vd) using CED with controlled catheter movement.
• To determine the impact of various retraction rates and infusion methods (constant pressure vs. constant flow) on Vd.
• To assess the distribution uniformity of therapeutics delivered via moving versus stationary catheters.

Main Methods:

• Development of a computational model to simulate CED.
• Simulation of infusions using both constant pressure and constant flow rate methods.
• Analysis of therapeutic volume dispersed (Vd) at various catheter retraction rates (mm/min).

Main Results:

• Any catheter movement rate increased Vd compared to a stationary catheter.
• The increase in Vd diminished at retraction rates exceeding 0.3-0.35 mm/min.
• Moving catheters resulted in more uniform therapeutic concentration distribution than stationary catheters.

Conclusions:

• Controlled catheter movement during CED can significantly enhance the volume of tissue treated.
• Optimal therapeutic delivery may be achieved within specific, moderate retraction rate ranges.
• Moving catheters offer potential for more effective and consistent therapeutic impact in glioblastoma treatment.