Deflectable Suction Sheath for Lower Pole Calyx Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical devices for removing kidney stones and foreign bodies from the body cavity face challenges in accessing and retrieving fragments from the lower pole calyces, leading to prolonged treatment time and patient discomfort due to their limited ability to effectively navigate the unique renal anatomy.

Innovation Solution

A suction evacuation assembly with a flexible, deflectable tip and dual lumen sheaths that allow for active or passive deflection, enabling precise direction of suction, irrigation, and instrument placement, facilitating the removal of stones or foreign bodies through negative pressure suction and expansion mechanisms for anchoring and fragment extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional rigid surgical devices are used for stone retrieval, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot effectively navigate the unique renal anatomy and reach lower pole calyces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to navigate renal anatomyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath incorporates a deflectable distal end that can be actively or passively deflected to change its orientation and direction, allowing the device to dynamically adapt to the complex renal anatomy and reach difficult-to-access areas like lower pole calyces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath features a flexible distal end section that can bend and deflect, replacing rigid structures with flexible components that can conform to the curved pathways of the urinary tract and renal calyces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If traditional surgical devices are used for stone fragment removal, then the device complexity is low, but the device fails to effectively remove fragments from hard-to-reach calyces, prolonging treatment time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestone fragment removal efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A secondary sheath with dual lumen is nested within the primary sheath, creating a multi-layered structure that provides both irrigation and suction capabilities while maintaining access to difficult-to-reach areas through the flexible distal end

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates a dual lumen secondary sheath that enables simultaneous irrigation and suction functions, using fluid dynamics to facilitate stone fragment removal from hard-to-reach calyces by flushing fragments toward the suction opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single lumen sheath is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot provide both irrigation and instrument passage simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-functionalityVSAvoidsheath structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary sheath with dual lumen is inserted within the primary sheath, allowing the system to perform multiple functions (irrigation, suction, instrument passage) simultaneously while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through nested configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The dual lumen secondary sheath is designed to accommodate both irrigation fluid flow and surgical instrument passage simultaneously, making the device versatile enough to perform multiple functions through a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device improves access and removal efficiency of stone fragments from hard-to-reach areas, reducing treatment time and patient discomfort by providing enhanced maneuverability and effective fragment extraction capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

suction evacuation assembly with a flexible, deflectable tip and dual lumen sheaths that allow for active or passive deflection, enabling precise direction of suction, irrigation, and instrument placement, facilitating the removal of stones or foreign bodies through negative pressure suction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3422964B1Suction-evacuation sheath
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 WAN SHAW P
  • EP3422964B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E
  • EP3422964B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3422964B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for removing a stone, a stone fragment, or a foreign body from a patient comprising a suction evacuation assembly which includes a primary sheath with a flexible end, an obturator releaseably secured to the sheath, a side arm emanating from the primary sheath, a deflection mechanism which is operationally associated with the flexible end of the sheath and a secondary sheath with a dual lumen and an oblong shape wherein the dual lumen allow passage of surgical instruments and irrigation fluid and wherein the oblong shape provides for adequate space for the egress of stone fragments and fluid through the primary and/or secondary sheath, wherein the obturator is withdrawn from the primary sheath and the secondary sheath is inserted into the primary sheath and into the patient in order to facilitate the removal of the stone, stone fragment or foreign body.