Adjustable Length Ureteral Stent with Segmented Proximal Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ureteral stents require multiple inventory sizes due to anatomical variations, leading to potential tissue irritation and increased patient trauma during implantation and removal.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable length ureteral stent with a segmented proximal retention member and graduated markings, allowing for in vivo or ex vivo length adjustment to match individual patient anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stent sizes are inventoried to match anatomical variations, then patient anatomy can be matched precisely, but tissue irritation increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into a fixed distal portion and a segmented proximal portion that can be divided into multiple sections. This segmentation allows the proximal retention member to be adjusted to different lengths by removing excess sections, enabling precise anatomy matching while minimizing the volume of retained tissue-irritating material in the bladder.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent transitions from a static fixed-length device to a dynamic adjustable-length device. The proximal retention member can be modified intraoperatively by removing sections to match the patient's specific anatomy, allowing the device to adapt to varying ureter lengths without requiring multiple pre-manufactured size variants.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stent sizes are inventoried to match anatomical variations, then patient anatomy can be matched precisely, but the number of devices required increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single stent design with an adjustable proximal retention member serves multiple functions that previously required different stent sizes. By allowing intraoperative length adjustment through section removal, one stent type can accommodate various ureter lengths, eliminating the need to maintain multiple inventory sizes for different anatomical configurations.
3Ease of operation
If stent length is estimated before procedure, then implantation can proceed, but incorrect length selection requires removal and re-implantation increasing patient trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is implanted in its full length configuration first, and then excess proximal sections are removed to achieve the correct final length. This preliminary full-implantation approach allows the physician to avoid the harm of incorrect initial sizing, as any over-estimation can be corrected by simple section removal rather than requiring complete removal and re-implantation of a different sized stent.
Solution Approach 2:
Excess proximal sections of the stent that extend beyond the desired length are discarded by removing them after implantation. This allows the physician to start with a longer stent that guarantees adequate coverage and then discard the unnecessary proximal portions, avoiding the patient trauma associated with removing and re-implanting an entirely different stent size.
4Adaptability or versatility
If excess retention structure is left in the bladder, then length adjustment is possible, but tissue irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal retention member is segmented into multiple removable sections, allowing precise length adjustment by removing only the excess portions needed to achieve the correct length. This segmentation enables minimal-volume retention in the bladder, as opposed to leaving large amounts of excess coiled material, thereby reducing tissue irritation while maintaining the ability to adjust the stent length to match patient anatomy.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable length medical device, such as a drainage stent, and delivery device for placing within the body, having an elongate tube and retention members at each end portion for anchoring the device in the body. The proximal portion of the device including the proximal retention member may be segmented in incremental portions so that the length of the device can be adjusted for placement.