Journal of Tissue Science and Engineering

Novel Double Lumen Catheter for Drug Delivery at the Skin- Catheter Interface

Abstract

Antonio Peramo

This paper shows the technical feasibility of using a modified double lumen catheter for the delivery of fluids at the skin-catheter interface in an in vivo rabbit model. The modified catheter permits the extrusion of suspensions at the site of contact between the skin and the modified catheter (exit site). The modification consisted in the addition of a second lumen, exterior to the original one of the catheter and of shorter length, ending in an extrusion port placed subdermally. An external fluid pump was attached to the catheter and the whole system was tested in vitro in human skin, in a cadaver model and in an in vivo rabbit model. Experiments were performed by delivering solutions of methylene blue in a controlled manner to the subcutaneous area to analyze the skin response to the process. Results indicate that this technique of pumping the material is effective in producing observable epithelial changes in the short term. The modification of the catheter addresses catheter exit site lack of integration of skin and works as a model that can be implemented in a number of percutaneous devices for long-term implantation.