Expandable Suction Head for Urinary Stone Fragment Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing small stone fragments from the urinary tract are inefficient, often resulting in clogging of suction tubes and the need for repeated cleaning and reinsertion during procedures.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic suction device with an expandable suction head at its distal end, which can transform from a contracted configuration within a medical device lumen to an expanded configuration within the body, allowing for effective collection and removal of small stone fragments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a suction tube is used to collect small stone fragments, then the fragments can be removed from the body, but the suction tube becomes clogged requiring repeated removal, cleaning and reinsertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of stone fragment removalVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability of suction tube

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction head is designed to be expandable and collapsible, transforming from a collapsed state during insertion to an expanded state during operation. This dynamic transformation allows the suction head to maintain structural integrity while navigating through the ureteroscope and then expand to effectively collect stone fragments without clogging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The suction device is divided into distinct functional segments: the elongate conduit for insertion, the expandable suction head for fragment collection, and the filtration system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the suction head expanding only when needed for collection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a basket is used to remove stone fragments, then larger fragments can be successfully removed, but smaller fragments (typically less than 1 mm) are difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of stone fragment removalVSAvoiddifficulty in removing small fragments

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction head is designed with varying cross-sectional areas along its length, creating different local qualities for different functions. The distal portion has a smaller cross-section for navigating through the ureteroscope, while the proximal portion has a larger cross-section for effective suction of small fragments. This gradient design allows the single device to handle both large and small fragments effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suction device combines multiple functions in one tool: it can remove both large and small stone fragments, provides filtration capability, and can be inserted through the ureteroscope. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for different fragment sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the suction head cross-sectional area increases from distal to proximal end, then small fragments can be effectively collected, but the device becomes more difficult to insert through narrow lumens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of small fragment collectionVSAvoiddifficulty of insertion through lumen

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction head dynamically changes its cross-sectional area by collapsing during insertion and expanding during operation. This allows the device to pass through narrow lumens in a compact state and then expand to provide effective suction surface area for collecting small fragments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The collapsible suction head can be nested within itself or within the ureteroscope during insertion, similar to nested dolls. This nesting capability allows the device to pass through confined spaces and then deploy its full functional form for fragment collection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 suction device effectively collects and removes small stone fragments from the urinary tract, reducing the risk of clogging and improving the efficiency of the procedure.

Implementation Method 1

the suction head may be self-expandable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the suction head may include a shape-memory alloy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

The proximal end may be configured to be coupled to a vacuum source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12213689B2Kidney stone suction device

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A method of using a suction device to remove an object from a subject's body includes extending a suction device into the body through a lumen of a medical device and expanding the suction head from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration within the body. The suction head may be provided at a distal end of an elongate conduit. The method may also include applying suction to move the object into the expanded suction head, and removing the suction device with the object from the body.