Flexible Ureteroscope with Shape-Memory Retrieval Basket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing kidney stones, such as shock wave lithotripsy, transurethral lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, face challenges like high recurrence rates, long procedure times, and potential patient complications, particularly due to difficulties in accurately capturing and navigating devices through narrow or curved paths within the body.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an endoscope with a device connected via an elongated shaft that can change its shape to navigate through narrow regions and curved paths, allowing for precise positioning and retrieval of kidney stones by creating suction to draw them into a retrieval space, and optionally moving them to a more accessible location for further treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional lithotripsy procedures (ESWL, URS, PCNL) are used to remove kidney stones, then stones can be broken down and removed, but the procedure time becomes excessively long and stone-free rate remains low due to the need to remove crush pieces one by one
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the stone removal process into two distinct phases: first, the basket captures and holds multiple stone fragments simultaneously within its expandable structure; second, the entire captured load is extracted and disposed of in a single action, eliminating the need for repeated insertion and removal cycles for individual pieces
Solution Approach 2:
The basket device is nested within the ureteroscope, with the collapsible basket structure fitting inside the scope's working channel during insertion, then expanding to capture stones, and finally collapsing back for extraction through the same narrow access route
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid devices are used to access narrow regions or curved paths in the body, then structural stability is maintained, but the device cannot navigate through narrow regions or extremely curved paths
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a rigid state during insertion to a flexible state during navigation, then back to rigid for stone capture and extraction. The basket structure dynamically changes from collapsed to expanded configuration, while the ureteroscope maintains flexibility to follow curved anatomical paths
Solution Approach 2:
The ureteroscope employs a flexible distal section with a flexible ureteral access sheath that can bend and conform to the curved anatomy of the ureter, allowing the device to navigate through narrow regions and extremely curved paths while the basket provides rigid containment for captured stones
3Manufacturing precision
If the basket is made rigid to maintain shape for capturing stones, then capture accuracy improves, but the device cannot be advanced through narrow regions or curved paths
Solution Approach 1:
The basket structure dynamically changes configuration: collapsed and flexible during advancement through narrow paths, then expanded and rigid when positioned at the target site for stone capture, providing both navigability and capture precision at different operational phases
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
This approach enhances the ability to accurately position and retrieve kidney stones, reducing procedure time and complications by enabling better navigation through the body's anatomy and improving the 'stone-free' rate while minimizing recurrence.
Implementation Method 1
changing the shape of the elongated shaft from a first shape to a second bent shape by applying a force that changes the shape of the elongated shaft, with the elongated shaft maintaining the second shape after removing the force
Implementation Method 2
allowing for precise positioning and retrieval of kidney stones by creating suction to draw them into a retrieval space
Data Source
AI summary
A method of moving a device toward a target site in a living body involves introducing an endoscope into the living body, wherein the endoscope has an instrument channel, with the device located at the distal end of the endoscope, and an elongated shaft connected to the device and positioned in the instrument channel. The method includes moving the endoscope and the device within the living body toward the target site, changing the shape of the elongated shaft while moving the device in the living body, and moving the device within the living body while the device is in the second orientation to position the device in the second orientation at the target site.