Dissolving Proximal Ureteral Stent Bladder Irritation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Known ureteral stents often cause pain and discomfort due to irritation of sensitive regions in the urinary tract, particularly the bladder, as a result of retention members that are not designed to dissolve or minimize contact with these areas.
Innovation Solution
A ureteral stent with a dissolving portion at the proximal end and a non-dissolving portion at the distal end, where the dissolving portion is made of materials like klucel or other biocompatible substances that dissolve in bodily fluids, reducing irritation and minimizing migration risks within the urinary tract.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retention member is placed in the bladder to prevent stent migration, then stent stability is improved, but irritation of sensitive bladder regions increases causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into distinct segments with different properties: a proximal portion made of dissolvable material and a distal portion made of non-dissolvable material. This segmentation allows the retention function to be separated from the irritating component, enabling the non-dissolvable distal portion to provide stable retention while the dissolvable proximal portion minimizes long-term irritation in the bladder
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the stent are assigned different material qualities based on their functional requirements. The proximal portion uses dissolvable material (such as gelatin, albumin, or polylactic acid) that provides temporary retention during insertion but then dissolves to eliminate irritation, while the distal portion uses non-dissolvable material that maintains structural integrity and retention function. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between stable retention and minimal irritation
2Reliability
If a retention member is used to prevent stent migration, then stent stability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The material composition parameter of the stent is changed along its length, transitioning from dissolvable material in the proximal portion to non-dissolvable material in the distal portion. This parameter change allows the stent to provide adequate retention stability during the critical insertion phase while eliminating the source of patient discomfort after placement, as the dissolvable portion breaks down and removes the irritating element from the bladder
3Ease of operation
If a dissolving portion is added to reduce irritation, then patient comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is segmented into proximal and distal portions with different material properties. This segmentation approach improves patient comfort by allowing the proximal portion to dissolve and eliminate irritation, while maintaining relatively simple overall structure through the use of two distinct material sections rather than complex mechanical or electronic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The stent employs composite construction using dissolvable materials (such as gelatin, albumin, collagen, or polylactic acid) combined with non-dissolvable materials in different portions. This composite approach achieves the dual goal of patient comfort through dissolution and structural integrity through the non-dissolvable portion, without requiring overly complex device architecture
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 dissolving portion of the ureteral stent reduces irritation and discomfort by minimizing contact with sensitive regions, while the non-dissolving portion ensures stability and effective retention within the urinary tract, allowing for safe and comfortable placement and removal.
Implementation Method 1
The proximal end portion includes a dissolving portion configured to dissolve in response to being exposed to a bodily fluid for a period of time
Data Source
AI summary
Ureteral stents having at least a portion of a proximal end of the ureteral stent constructed with a material that dissolves after being exposed to a bodily fluid for a period of time are disclosed herein. At least a portion of the proximal end portion of the elongate member includes a dissolving portion configured to dissolve in response to being exposed to a bodily fluid for a period of time. The elongate member also includes a non-dissolving portion that includes the entire retention member of the distal end portion and is substantially stable in the bodily fluid of the urinary tract of the patient. In some embodiments, a medial portion of the ureteral stent is also constructed with one or more dissolving materials. In some implementations, the proximal and/or the medial portions of the ureteral stent are constructed using various combinations of dissolving and non-dissolving materials.