Convertible Catheter Coupling for Single-Procedure Ureteral Stenting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating urinary system complications and maintaining lumen patency involve multiple devices and procedures, which are less than ideal, often requiring two surgical interventions and increasing patient risk.
Innovation Solution
A single device combining the functionalities of a nephroureteral catheter and ureteral stent, allowing for a decoupling mechanism that enables the removal of the proximal portion without a second procedure, using various coupling methods such as suture loops, expandable members, and locking systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nephroureteral catheter and ureteral stent are used as separate devices requiring two surgical procedures, then the treatment can be performed in standard steps, but the patient risk and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a nephroureteral catheter and a ureteral stent into a single integrated device. The catheter body and stent are coupled together such that they function as one unit during delivery, allowing both functions to be achieved in a single surgical procedure rather than requiring separate interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device is designed with separable components - the catheter body and stent can be decoupled after delivery. The stent remains in place while the catheter body is removed, allowing the device to provide both temporary catheterization and permanent stenting functions in sequence.
2Productivity
If a single integrated device is used to combine catheter and stent functionalities, then the number of surgical procedures is reduced, but the device design and coupling mechanism become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism between the catheter body and stent is designed to be dynamic - it maintains a coupled state during delivery and then transitions to a decoupled state after implantation. This allows the device to adapt its configuration based on the procedural stage, simplifying the overall system despite the initial complexity of the coupling mechanism.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the proximal portion of the device is made removable after implantation, then patient risk is reduced by avoiding a second procedure, but the coupling mechanism requires additional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter body portion of the integrated device is designed to be extractable or removable after the stent has been successfully implanted. The coupling mechanism allows for the selective removal of the catheter body while leaving the stent in place, enabling the temporary catheterization function to be discontinued without requiring surgical intervention to remove the permanent stenting component.
Data Source
AI summary
A convertible catheter for use as a nephroureteral stent, biliary stent, or other structure for maintaining patency of a bodily lumen is disclosed. After initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted stent within the patient.