Force-Directional Balloon for Nasal Dilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional balloon dilatation devices for treating constricted paranasal sinus passageways face challenges in easily accessing the target area, especially in patients with constricted nostrils or deviated septums, and often apply omnidirectional force that can damage surrounding delicate structures.

Innovation Solution

A force-directional nasal surgery dilatation device with an inflatable balloon, a shaft for guiding the balloon, and a force directional member that directs the applied force away from sensitive tissues, allowing for controlled dilation while protecting critical structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional balloon catheter is used for dilatation, then the balloon can be easily advanced into the target sinus, but the omnidirectional force applied during inflation can damage surrounding delicate structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of advancing balloon catheterVSAvoiddamage to surrounding delicate structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon catheter is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, creating a thinner section that directs force in a specific direction. This local variation in structure allows the dilatation force to be concentrated away from critical structures while maintaining ease of catheter advancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The balloon incorporates an asymmetric thin section that creates directional force during inflation. This asymmetric design breaks the omnidirectional force pattern of traditional balloons, directing the majority of dilatation force away from delicate surrounding structures while preserving the ability to easily advance the catheter to the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If the balloon applies omnidirectional force during dilatation, then the dilation is uniform, but critical structures near the balloon can be easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of dilationVSAvoiddamage to critical structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By creating a localized thin section in the balloon wall, the force distribution is modified locally while maintaining overall balloon stability. This allows directional force concentration away from critical structures while preserving sufficient uniform dilation of the target ostium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thin section acts as an intermediary element that modifies force transmission. It redirects the inflation pressure away from critical structures while still achieving adequate dilation of the target sinus ostium, serving as a force-distribution mediator between the inflation source and surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the balloon catheter is positioned near critical structures, then access to the target sinus is achieved, but the risk of damage to those structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to target sinusVSAvoidrisk of damage to critical structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The directional force capability enabled by the thin section allows the balloon to be safely positioned near critical structures. The modified force distribution reduces the risk of damage while maintaining the ability to access and dilate the target sinus ostium effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thin section serves as a protective intermediary that redirects forces away from critical structures. This allows safe positioning of the balloon near sensitive areas while still achieving the therapeutic dilation effect at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device enables safer and more effective dilation of nasal passages and sinus ostia by concentrating force on specific areas, reducing the risk of damage to delicate structures and improving access for procedures like Balloon Sinuplasty.

Implementation Method 1

the amount of force applied to tissue adjacent the force directional member is less than the amount of force applied to other tissue in the nasal passage or sinus ostia of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10207091B2Force-directional nasal surgery dilatation device

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 DILLARD DAVID G

AI summary

A force-directional nasal surgery dilatation device for use in a medical procedure such as sinuplasty, correction of deviated septum, and expansion of sinus cavities and nasal passages. An inflatable balloon is affixed to the distal end of a shaft for supporting and guiding the balloon into position for a nasal surgery procedure involving a patient. The shaft includes an inflation passageway associated for introducing an inflation medium into the balloon. The device further includes a force distribution member affixed to the inflatable balloon that provides a relatively rigid surface for applying distributed force against a tissue in the patient's nasal cavity upon inflation of the balloon. The force distribution member can include a pair of generally planar articulated adjacent surfaces attached along a hinge line between the surfaces.