Cystoscopy Insertion Tool Angled Conduits Laminar Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cystoscopy tools face challenges in comfortably delivering fluid and tools to the bladder site due to turbulence and difficulty in using instruments like biopsy tools simultaneously during irrigation, leading to uncomfortable air bubbles and operational hindrances.
Innovation Solution
A cystoscopy insertion tool with a tapered inner housing and angled conduits in the outer housing, allowing for smooth passage of fluid and tools, reducing turbulence and enabling simultaneous use of biopsy tools by creating a laminar flow and secure nesting of components for improved manufacturing and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fluid is delivered through a conventional inlet in a cystoscopy apparatus, then irrigation of the bladder is achieved, but turbulence occurs creating uncomfortable air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is designed with a curved profile rather than a straight configuration. This curvature allows fluid to enter the sheath at an angle and follow a smooth curved path, reducing turbulence and preventing air bubble formation while maintaining effective irrigation delivery to the bladder
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inlet is arranged in a conventional position relative to the insertion tool, then fluid delivery is possible, but it becomes difficult for other tools such as biopsy tools to be fed to the site being imaged
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is positioned and angled in a specific three-dimensional configuration relative to the insertion tool axis. This spatial arrangement creates separate access pathways, allowing biopsy tools and other instruments to be fed to the imaging site simultaneously without interfering with the fluid delivery system
3Ease of operation
If a straight profile inner housing is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but fluid and tools experience turbulence and difficulty passing through
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing features a tapered profile with curved transitions rather than straight sections. This curved geometry guides fluid and instruments smoothly through the device, reducing turbulence and facilitating easy passage while remaining manufacturable through standard molding processes
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 tool reduces turbulence and discomfort by ensuring smooth fluid delivery and easy tool operation, enhancing patient comfort and procedural efficiency by minimizing air bubbles and facilitating the use of biopsy tools during cystoscopy.
Implementation Method 1
By providing a tapered inner house where the degree of tapering is based on the angle at which the respective conduits of the first and second ports of the outer housing extend at relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing means that fluid and/or tools fed through the insertion tool to the site of inspection may be fed more easily and smoothly to the site of inspection. This may, for example, reduce turbulence in a fluid being delivered, thereby reducing the presence of uncomfortable air bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
A cystoscopy insertion tool (100) for inserting a cystoscope into the body is described herein. The tool comprises an inner housing (103) having an aperture at a proximal end and an aperture at a distal end with a first lumen extending therebetween for receiving a cystoscope therethrough, and an outer housing (101) having an aperture (122) at a proximal end and an aperture (120) at a distal end having a longitudinal axis extending therebetween and providing a second lumen extending therebetween for receiving the inner housing such that the inner housing is at least partially nested inside the outer housing. The outer housing comprises a first port (108) and a second port (110), and wherein the first and second ports comprise respective conduits that extend from the outer housing at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. A channel is formed between the inside of the outer housing and the outside of the inner housing when the inner housing is nested in the outer housing, to allow the passage of fluid and/or a biopsy probe to pass from the respective first and second ports and through the channel.