Compact Laser-Suction Medical Device for Kidney Stone Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in breaking kidney stones into smaller fragments and efficiently removing them from the ureter, particularly in the lower calyx of the kidney, due to limited space and the need for both a laser fiber and suction channel, which can cause stone fragments to become lodged and require additional procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising a tube and an elongate member with a lumen for suction, allowing the elongate member to secure kidney stones and retract them proximally, combined with a laser fiber to break the stones into smaller particles, which are then suctioned out through the lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device includes both a laser fiber and a suction channel to break and remove kidney stones, then the effectiveness of stone fragmentation and removal is improved, but the device size increases making it too large to reach the target kidney stone in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the laser fiber inside the suction channel. The suction channel serves as the outer structure that provides both the suction function and housing for the laser fiber. This nested configuration allows both functions (laser fragmentation and suction removal) to be integrated in a compact form factor that can navigate the limited space of the ureter and reach kidney stones in the lower calyx.
2Productivity
If the combined cross-sectional areas of the working channel and suction lumen are made large enough to accommodate both laser fiber and stone fragments, then the device can effectively break and remove stones, but the device becomes too large to reach the target kidney stone
Solution Approach 1:
The laser fiber is nested within the suction channel, allowing the working channel and suction lumen to share the same spatial pathway. This eliminates the need for separate parallel channels, significantly reducing the overall cross-sectional area and device diameter while maintaining both fragmentation and removal capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction channel serves multiple functions: it provides the suction pathway for removing stone fragments, houses and protects the laser fiber during navigation, and acts as the delivery mechanism for the laser fiber to the target site. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device size.
3Productivity
If intense light energy from a laser is used to break the stone into smaller pieces, then the stone fragmentation efficiency is improved, but the stone and/or stone fragments may be pushed away from the ureteroscope making it impossible to continue breaking without repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser fragmentation function and suction removal function into a single integrated device. The suction channel is positioned adjacent to the laser fiber, allowing simultaneous or sequential operation of both functions. As the laser breaks the stone, the suction channel immediately captures the fragments, preventing them from being pushed away and enabling continuous operation without repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction channel acts as an intermediary between the laser fragmentation process and the stone fragments. It provides a controlled pathway that captures fragments as they are generated, mediating the interaction between the laser energy and the stone material to prevent fragment displacement.
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
Effectively breaks and removes kidney stones by securing them with suction, allowing for efficient fragmentation and extraction without the need for repositioning, reducing the risk of stone retention and new stone growth.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the elongate member is configured to move axially relative to the tube and apply suction through the distal end
Implementation Method 2
Intense light energy from a laser within the ureteroscope breaks the stone into increasingly smaller pieces
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a medical device. Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a laser to break a kidney stones into smaller fragments and/or dust, and removing particles, stone fragments and/or stone dust from a patient. The medical device may include a delivery device including a tube, and an elongate member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the elongate member is configured to move axially relative to the tube and apply suction through the distal end.