Cauterizing Device with Biasing Member for Stent Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cauterization catheters lack controlled activation mechanisms, leading to accidental cauterization of the opposite duct wall during lumen-apposing stent placement due to limited room for error in small duct cross-sectional areas.
Innovation Solution
A cauterization catheter design featuring a distal portion with a biasing member that moves between inactive and active positions, ensuring controlled activation and deactivation of the cautery element, utilizing mechanisms such as flexible bridges, springs, or magnetic repulsion to complete or break electrical circuits automatically based on applied pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cauterization catheter is used to create an anastomosis between the stent and duct wall, then the stent can be securely placed, but there is a high risk of accidental cauterization of the opposite duct wall due to limited room for error in small duct cross-sectional areas
Solution Approach 1:
The cauterization tip is designed as a movable component that can dynamically change position between retracted (inactive) and extended (active) states. This dynamic mechanism allows the tip to be automatically positioned only when needed, preventing accidental cauterization while maintaining secure anastomosis creation when properly activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a pressure-sensitive switch that provides feedback about the catheter's position and the force applied. When the catheter is properly positioned against the duct wall, the switch activates and allows cauterization current to flow. This feedback mechanism ensures cauterization only occurs when the tip is correctly positioned, preventing accidental damage to the opposite duct wall.
2Ease of operation
If the cauterization tip is made manually activatable, then the operator has control over the cauterization process, but there is little room for error in small duct cross-sectional areas requiring more controlled activation
Solution Approach 1:
The cauterization tip incorporates a self-activating mechanism where the act of pushing the tip against the duct wall automatically completes the electrical circuit and activates cauterization. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate manual activation controls, providing both ease of operation and precision by ensuring cauterization activates only when the tip is properly positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual pedal or switch activation system is replaced with an automatic mechanical activation system based on pressure sensitivity. The pressure-sensitive switch automatically detects when the tip is pressed against the duct wall and activates cauterization accordingly, providing more precise control than manual activation while maintaining ease of use.
3Productivity
If the cauterization tip remains continuously active, then the operator can maintain constant cauterization, but there is risk of burning through the duct wall or causing damage to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous cauterization, the system enables periodic or intermittent cauterization based on the operator's needs and the automatic feedback from the pressure-sensitive switch. The cauterization activates only when the tip is pressed against the duct wall and deactivates when retracted, providing efficient cauterization when needed while preventing continuous burning that could damage the duct wall or surrounding tissues.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides precise control over cautery activation, preventing accidental cauterization of the opposite duct wall by automatically deactivating the cautery tip once it has passed through the tissue wall, enhancing safety and accuracy during stent placement.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member, the distal portion including a cautery element, wherein the distal portion is moveable relative to the proximal portion between a first position in which the cautery element is electrically inactive, and a second position in which the cautery element is electrically active, wherein the biasing member biases the distal portion in the first position
Implementation Method 2
the biasing member is a spring disposed between the proximal portion and distal portion of the cauterization tip
Implementation Method 3
the biasing member includes a first magnet disposed on a distal region of the first wire and a second magnet disposed on a proximal region of the second wire, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are oriented to repel one another when in close proximity, thereby biasing the distal portion in the first position
Implementation Method 4
the distal portion contacts the proximal portion and the cautery element is electrically active
Data Source
AI summary
A lumen-apposing access system may include a catheter and a cauterization tip. The cauterization tip may include a biasing member and a cautery element. The cauterization tip may move relative to the catheter between a first position in which the cautery element is electrically inactive, and a second position in which the cautery element is electrically active. The biasing member biases the cautery element in the first position.