Fluid Stream Prostate Tissue Resection Without Thermal Damage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic carcinoma, such as TURP and PVP, are invasive, associated with high risks of complications, and inefficient due to the need for high energies and precise control to avoid thermal damage and tissue occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive method and device using a fluid stream to resect prostate tissue, which is heat-free, allowing for rapid tissue removal without thermal damage, and can be configured to selectively resect glandular tissue while sparing non-glandular tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrosurgical methods (TURP, TUVP) are used to remove prostate tissue, then tissue resection is achieved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue and high procedural morbidity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal energy-based electrosurgical systems with a mechanically-driven fluid jet system. High-pressure fluid jets physically disrupt and remove prostate tissue through mechanical force rather than thermal ablation, eliminating the harmful thermal effects while maintaining effective tissue resection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs high-pressure fluid jets (hydraulic system) to deliver mechanical energy for tissue resection. The fluid delivery system uses pressurized fluid streams to erode and remove prostate tissue, providing a non-thermal alternative to traditional electrosurgical methods
2Productivity
If high-energy electrosurgical methods are used to vaporize prostate tissue, then rapid tissue removal is achieved, but procedural complexity and risk of complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a relatively simple high-pressure fluid delivery system compared to complex electrosurgical generators and specialized electrodes. The hydraulic system with pressurized fluid jets achieves rapid tissue removal through straightforward mechanical erosion, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining high productivity
3Productivity
If electrosurgical loops are used for transurethral resection, then tissue removal is effective, but risk of retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal electrosurgical cutting with mechanical fluid jet erosion. This substitution allows for more controlled tissue removal that can spare critical neurovascular structures responsible for sexual function, thereby maintaining resection effectiveness while preserving sexual health outcomes
4Object-affected harmful factors
If laser ablation techniques are used to treat prostate tissue, then minimally invasive treatment is achieved, but extensive thermal damage zones and prolonged procedure time occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-pressure fluid jets to achieve rapid mechanical tissue removal without the slow, sequential ablation process of laser techniques. The hydraulic system removes tissue through direct mechanical erosion and fluid washout, dramatically reducing procedure time while maintaining the minimally invasive transurethral approach
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 method achieves rapid tissue resection, reduces post-operative complications, and provides immediate symptomatic relief by creating a working space within the urethra, allowing for better device movement and visualization.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid stream is directed outwardly from the fluid delivery element toward a wall of the urethral lumen. The fluid stream is sufficiently forceful to remove tissue.
Implementation Method 2
The fluid stream is sufficiently forceful to remove tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Prostate treatment using fluid stream to resect prostate tissue, thereby relieving symptoms of conditions such as BPH, prostatitis, and prostatic carcinoma. A device having a fluid delivery element is positioned within a lumen of the urethra within the prostate. A fluid stream is directed outwardly from the fluid delivery element toward a wall of the urethral lumen. The fluid delivery element is moved to scan the fluid stream over the wall to remove a volume of tissue surrounding the lumen. The fluid may be combined with therapeutically active substances or with substances that increase resection efficiency. Fluid force may be adjusted to provide selective tissue resection such that soft tissue is removed while harder tissue is left undamaged. In order to gain a working space within the urethra, another fluid may be introduced to insufflate the urethra in the region of treatment.