Gel Sweeper for Kidney Stone Fragment Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithotripsy procedures are complicated and time-consuming due to the need for antiretropulsion devices to prevent stone fragments from migrating during kidney stone or gallstone pulverization, which increases operating room costs and procedural complexity.
Innovation Solution
A sweeper gel system that forms a tacky, flowable polymer plug within the body lumen to occlude the area, allowing for simultaneous removal of stone fragments and antiretropulsion devices, using a polymer formulation that hardens to maintain shape and secure an elongated handle for easy retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antiretropulsion devices are deployed during lithotripsy to prevent stone fragment migration, then fragment migration is minimized, but procedural time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the antiretropulsion device and stone fragment collection into a single integrated plug structure. The plug simultaneously performs multiple functions: preventing fragment migration (antiretropulsion), collecting pulverized stone fragments, and facilitating their removal. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliable fragment migration prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is designed as a multi-functional device that serves several purposes: it acts as an antiretropulsion barrier, a collection receptacle for stone fragments, and a retrieval mechanism. By making the device universal and multi-functional, the invention reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall procedure while ensuring reliable fragment containment and prevention of migration.
2Reliability
If antiretropulsion devices are deployed during lithotripsy to prevent stone fragment migration, then fragment migration is minimized, but operating room time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the antiretropulsion device and stone fragment collection into a single integrated plug structure. The plug simultaneously performs multiple functions: preventing fragment migration (antiretropulsion), collecting pulverized stone fragments, and facilitating their removal. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliable fragment migration prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is deployed before lithotripsy begins, establishing the antiretropulsion barrier and collection mechanism in advance. This preliminary action allows the procedure to proceed without interruption for device deployment or adjustment during the actual lithotripsy, thereby reducing overall procedural time while ensuring fragment migration prevention from the outset.
3Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used for antiretropulsion and fragment collection, then fragment migration is prevented, but device complexity and retrieval difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the antiretropulsion device and stone fragment collection into a single integrated plug structure. The plug simultaneously performs multiple functions: preventing fragment migration (antiretropulsion), collecting pulverized stone fragments, and facilitating their removal. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliable fragment migration prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug design incorporates nested functional elements where the collection receptacle is integrated within the antiretropulsion barrier structure. This nesting allows both functions to be performed by a single device that can be deployed and retrieved as one unit, simplifying the操作流程 and making retrieval easier compared to managing multiple separate devices.
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 reduces procedural time and complexity by effectively collecting and removing debris while minimizing the risk of fragment migration, thereby reducing operating costs and simplifying the lithotripsy process.
Implementation Method 1
a flowable polymer formulation that is able to form a plug when it is introduced into a body lumen
Implementation Method 2
the plug is tacky
Implementation Method 3
a polymer that forms a solid or a highly viscous liquid within the body
Implementation Method 4
the polymer formulation includes a polymer that forms a solid or a highly viscous liquid within the body
Implementation Method 5
the second end can include a plurality of flanges or flukes to secure the elongated body to the plug
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performing medical procedures in body lumens are described. Embodiments of the methods include forming a plug to partially or fully occlude the lumen and moving the plug through a surgical field. Embodiments of the systems include an elongate body graspable by a surgical instrument or by a surgeon that are adapted to anchor to the plug.