Form Stable Expandable Stent with Integrated Drainage Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable stents and tissue expanders are limited by their flexible bodies, which hinder their manipulation and placement within the human body, particularly during surgical procedures, and lack effective wound drainage and irrigation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of form stable expandable stent and tissue expander assemblies with sealed expandable shells, integrated drainage and irrigation tubing, and a form stability member such as open cell foam or thickened silicone structures, allowing for improved insertion, stability, and post-surgical management, including textured surfaces to reduce tissue adhesion and reinforced tubing for enhanced buckling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible bodies are used in prior art stents and tissue expanders, then ease of insertion is improved, but form stability and manipulation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stent employs a composite structure combining a flexible silicone rubber shell with an internal open cell foam core. The foam core provides form stability and structural support while the flexible shell maintains ease of insertion and expansion. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the stent have different material properties: the shell provides flexibility and expandability, while the internal foam core provides form stability. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the stent to simultaneously achieve ease of insertion and form stability during and after expansion.
2Device complexity
If prior art stents are used without integrated drainage systems, then device simplicity is maintained, but wound drainage and irrigation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates drainage and irrigation tubing directly into the stent structure, merging the drainage function with the stent body. The tubing is embedded within the foam core and extends through the shell, providing wound drainage capability while maintaining a unified device structure that does not significantly increase complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If smooth surfaces are used in prior art stents, then manufacturing ease is improved, but tissue adhesion and grip capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stent features a textured surface layer applied to specific regions where tissue grip is needed, while other areas maintain smooth surfaces for ease of manufacture and insertion. This localized texturing provides friction for tissue engagement without compromising manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A form stable expandable stent and tissue expander assembly having a scaled outer shell body forming an internal chamber. A form stability member may be provided within the internal chamber of the shell body. Drainage/irrigation tubing extend through the chamber of the shell body and a fill tube is provided in communication with the internal chamber of the outer shell and extends outwardly therefrom. Manipulation structures with handles and other cooperating fastening and removing elements may be provided for use with the expandable stent and tissue expander assemblies of the invention.