Expandable Tissue Dilation Devices for Narrow Passageways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in dilating tissues within anatomical passageways due to size or shape constraints, inflammation, and the presence of intervening tissues, making it difficult to advance devices through these areas for procedures like drainage or implant delivery.
Innovation Solution
The development of various dilatation devices, including tapered tubes, slotted tubes, expandable tubes, and flexible members, which can be advanced to tissues and expanded to facilitate device passage and implant delivery, utilizing mechanisms such as collapsible designs, hinged arms, and rotational expansion to adjust size and shape for effective tissue dilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid dilatation device is used to dilate tissue, then the device can effectively expand the anatomical passageway, but the device cannot be advanced through narrow or constricted passageways
Solution Approach 1:
The dilatation device employs a dynamic structure that transitions from a compressed low-profile state for navigation to an expanded high-profile state for tissue dilation. The device includes expandable elements such as balloons or self-expanding frames that can be deployed at the target site, allowing the device to adapt its size and shape according to the procedural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes a nested configuration where the dilatation elements are contained within a delivery catheter or sheath in a compressed state. Once positioned at the target tissue, the inner elements are deployed outward, allowing the device to transition from a small navigable form to a large dilatation form without requiring two separate devices.
2Length of moving object
If the device is made collapsible to navigate narrow passageways, then the device can be advanced through constricted areas, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes flexible materials such as shape memory alloys or elastic polymers that can be compressed into a narrow profile for delivery and then automatically expand to their original larger dimensions at the target site. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical collapsing mechanisms while achieving the desired low-profile navigation capability.
3Strength
If a tapered tube is advanced into tissue to dilate it, then the tissue can be effectively dilated, but the device may cause tissue damage or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs gradual, staged expansion rather than sudden forceful dilation. The dilatation process occurs in controlled increments, allowing the tissue to adapt progressively to the expanding device, thereby reducing the risk of tissue damage while achieving effective dilation of the anatomical passageway.
Data Source
AI summary
Described here are devices and methods for dilating tissues. In other variations, the dilatation device comprises a slotted or expandable tube that may expand to dilate tissue. In still other variations, the dilatation device comprises two or more hinged or movable plate members that separate to dilate tissue. In yet other variations, the dilation device may comprise one or more flexible members. One or more portions of the dilatation device may be detachable from the device in the body, and dilatation device may release one or more implants into the body. In some of these variations, the dilatation device may additionally be used to expand one or more implants or other devices within the body. In some variations the dilatation device may release one or more substances that may hold dilated tissue in a dilated configuration.