Expandable Catheter Storage Unit for Controlled Fluid Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing discharge devices for biological organs face limitations in achieving a desired discharge amount and flow rate due to their small diameter, which restricts the removal of foreign substances and the effectiveness of medicinal substances.
Innovation Solution
A discharge device with an elongated flexible main body, a storage unit capable of expanding and contracting to store and discharge substances, and a hub for connecting to a supply device, allowing for adjustable discharge amounts and flow rates regardless of the lumen's sectional area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the catheter is designed with a small outer diameter to be delivered to thin sites in biological lumens, then the catheter can be introduced into narrow biological passages, but the discharge amount and flow rate of the discharge substance are insufficient for removing foreign substances or achieving desired medicinal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into two functional parts: a thin introducer catheter for navigation and a expandable storage unit for discharge. The introducer catheter (first catheter) has a small outer diameter for introduction, while the storage unit (second catheter) can be expanded to a larger diameter for adequate discharge, resolving the contradiction between small size for introduction and large size for discharge performance
Solution Approach 2:
The storage unit is designed with dynamic expandability, transitioning from a compressed state during introduction to an expanded state during discharge operation. This dynamic size change allows the system to achieve both small diameter for catheter introduction and large discharge capacity when needed, directly resolving the technical contradiction
2Productivity
If the lumen sectional area is increased to improve discharge amount and flow rate, then foreign substances can be removed more effectively, but the catheter cannot be delivered to relatively thin sites in biological lumens
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the introduction function (performed by the thin first catheter) from the discharge function (performed by the expandable storage unit). This segmentation allows the introduction catheter to maintain a small diameter for accessing thin sites, while the storage unit provides the necessary large lumen area for effective discharge when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The storage unit is nested within or attached to the introducer catheter in a compressed state during delivery, similar to nested dolls. Once positioned at the target site, the storage unit is expanded to its full size, providing a large discharge lumen while the introducer catheter remains thin for future access if needed
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
Enables efficient removal of calculus fragments and effective delivery of medicinal substances by allowing a desired discharge amount and flow rate, enhancing treatment outcomes such as in urolithiasis treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge section which can discharge the discharge substance stored in the storage space toward a proximal side of the main body in the axial direction, and that is capable of expanding deformation and contracting deformation in response to introduction and discharge of the discharge substance
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge device and method are disclosed that can discharge a discharge substance with a desired discharge amount at a desired flow rate. A storage unit provided in a discharge device includes a storage space which can store a discharge substance, and a discharge section which can discharge the discharge substance stored in the storage space toward the proximal side of a main body in an axial direction, and is configured to be capable of expanding deformation and contracting deformation in response to introduction and discharge of the discharge substance.