Dual-Lumen Medical Device Switch Assembly for Laser Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
During medical procedures like endoscopy and ureteroscopy, the use of laser fibers to break up kidney stones can increase body lumen temperature, and the removal of stone fragments and dust poses challenges due to varying sizes and temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a handle and a shaft featuring dual lumens for fluid delivery and suction, controlled by a switch assembly that allows seamless transition between configurations to manage fluid and suction functions without disrupting connections, facilitating efficient removal of stone fragments and dust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser fibers are used to break up kidney stones, then the stones can be fragmented into smaller pieces, but the body lumen temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cooling fluid delivered through the same lumen that receives laser energy to counteract the thermal damage. The cooling fluid absorbs excess heat from the laser-induced fragmentation process, converting the harmful thermal effect into a controlled cooling mechanism that protects surrounding tissues while maintaining stone fragmentation efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling fluid as an intermediary substance between the laser energy source and the body lumen tissues. This cooling fluid acts as a thermal mediator that absorbs excess heat from laser fiber interactions, preventing direct thermal damage to surrounding tissues while allowing the laser to effectively fragment stones.
2Productivity
If dual lumens are used for fluid delivery and suction, then efficient removal of stone fragments is facilitated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fluid delivery and suction functions into a single lumen structure, merging two separate functional lumens into one integrated system. This allows simultaneous fluid delivery and suction through the same lumen, improving stone fragment removal efficiency while avoiding the increased complexity of managing separate lumens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal lumen system that performs multiple functions - both fluid delivery and suction - through the same structural pathway. This multi-functional design enables efficient stone fragment removal by allowing the lumen to serve dual purposes without requiring separate dedicated pathways for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switch assembly is made movable between configurations, then fluid and suction functions can be transitioned seamlessly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switch assembly that can change its configuration to transition between different fluid communication pathways. This movable switch allows seamless switching between fluid delivery and suction functions by dynamically reconfiguring the internal flow paths, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices and related methods are described, including a medical device that may include a handle including a housing, a first lumen extending distal to the housing, and a second lumen extending distal to the housing. The medical device may further include a switch assembly coupled to at least one of the first lumen or second lumen. The switch assembly may include a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet may be configured to receive a source of fluid and the second inlet may be configured to receive a source of suction. The switch assembly may be movable between a first configuration in which the first inlet may be in communication with the first outlet and the first lumen, and a second configuration in which the second inlet may be in communication with the first outlet and the first lumen.