Basket Retrieval Device Merging Arms to Reduce Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical retrieval devices are complex, bulky, and prone to failure due to numerous components and labor-intensive manufacturing processes, making them expensive and difficult to use effectively in minimally invasive procedures.

Innovation Solution

A medical retrieval device with a simplified design featuring a basket configuration that can expand and collapse, composed of fewer components, including first and second branch members and movable members that alternate circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, allowing for reduced profile and improved structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional medical retrieval devices use multiple components and complex assembly mechanisms, then they can achieve functional versatility, but the device profile increases and structural reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated basket structure with interconnected radially extending arms. The arms are formed from a continuous material or few pieces, eliminating the need for separate joints, connectors, and fastening mechanisms that would increase complexity and potential failure points while maintaining the ability to expand and collapse for versatile retrieval functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If traditional medical retrieval devices use multiple joining mechanisms, then they can achieve structural assembly, but the device profile increases beyond optimal design parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoiddevice profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The basket arms are constructed as continuous structures or minimally segmented elements that eliminate the need for separate joining mechanisms. The arms extend radially from a central hub and connect to form the basket perimeter without requiring additional joints, fasteners, or connectors, thereby minimizing the device profile to optimal design parameters while maintaining structural assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If traditional medical retrieval devices use numerous components and joining mechanisms, then they can achieve structural assembly, but the structural reliability decreases due to weak joining points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural assemblyVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The basket structure is formed using continuous material or minimally segmented arms that are intrinsically connected without separate joining mechanisms. This eliminates weak joining points such as welds, fasteners, or connectors that could fail under stress, thereby significantly improving structural reliability and integrity while maintaining the ability to assemble the basket structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The design anticipates potential failure points by eliminating joining mechanisms entirely in favor of continuous structures. The basket arms are formed as single-piece or minimally segmented elements that have no weak points, providing inherent redundancy and fail-safe characteristics that cushion against structural failure during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Manufacturing precision

If traditional medical retrieval devices use complex assembly processes, then they can achieve precise component assembly, but the manufacturing cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The basket structure is manufactured as a single integrated component or minimal assembly of pre-formed arms, eliminating the need for complex multi-step assembly processes. The continuous structure requires no welding, fastening, or precise alignment operations, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the precision needed for functional performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The basket is designed as modular radially extending arms that can be manufactured separately and then simply connected through inherent geometric interlocking or minimal attachment points. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual arms using standard fabrication processes, followed by straightforward assembly that maintains precision without requiring complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9795401B2Medical retrieval devices and related methods of use

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical device that may include a plurality of first branch members, and a plurality of second branch members is disclosed. The medical device may also include a first movable member, and a second movable member. The plurality of first and second branch members and the first and second movable members may form a basket movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.