Patient-Specific Access Device for Kidney Nephrolithotomy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for accessing the kidney during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures are time-consuming and prone to complications due to the need for repeated adjustments of mechanical devices and exposure to radiation, and existing access devices are not customizable to accommodate unique patient anatomy or procedure demands.

Innovation Solution

A patient-specific access device comprising a needle guide body with a base that defines a non-variable insertion path, allowing for precise alignment and penetration of a needle into the kidney, and a method for producing the device using patient-specific data sets to create a customized insertion path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If repeated adjustments of mechanical devices are used to define access tunnel, then access precision can be achieved, but procedural time increases and radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess precisionVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the access tunnel path and positioning the needle guide device before the actual needle insertion. The device is positioned and secured in advance, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments during the procedure. This pre-positioning approach ensures access precision while significantly reducing procedural time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses imaging data (X-ray, CT, or MRI) to create a digital copy or representation of the patient's anatomy and the desired access path. This digital model is then used to plan and execute the needle insertion, eliminating the need for repeated physical adjustments and radiation exposure during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If repeated adjustments of mechanical devices are used to define access tunnel, then access precision can be achieved, but radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess precisionVSAvoidradiation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the access tunnel path and positioning the needle guide device before the actual needle insertion. The device is positioned and secured in advance, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments during the procedure. This pre-positioning approach ensures access precision while significantly reducing procedural time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses imaging data (X-ray, CT, or MRI) to create a digital copy or representation of the patient's anatomy and the desired access path. This digital model is then used to plan and execute the needle insertion, eliminating the need for repeated physical adjustments and radiation exposure during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If adjustable jig-like device is used to maintain access tunnel, then access tunnel can be maintained, but device complexity increases and operational difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess tunnel maintenanceVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex mechanical components (gears, adjustment mechanisms) from the device and replaces them with a simpler, more rigid structure. The needle guide device uses a fixed geometric framework with guide surfaces that directly define the access tunnel path, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustments while maintaining reliable access tunnel maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses imaging data (X-ray, CT, or MRI) to create a digital copy or representation of the patient's anatomy and the desired access path. This digital model is then used to plan and execute the needle insertion, eliminating the need for repeated physical adjustments and radiation exposure during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If adjustable jig-like device is used to maintain access tunnel, then access tunnel can be maintained, but procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess tunnel maintenanceVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex mechanical components (gears, adjustment mechanisms) from the device and replaces them with a simpler, more rigid structure. The needle guide device uses a fixed geometric framework with guide surfaces that directly define the access tunnel path, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustments while maintaining reliable access tunnel maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the access tunnel path and positioning the needle guide device before the actual needle insertion. The device is positioned and secured in advance, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments during the procedure. This pre-positioning approach ensures access precision while significantly reducing procedural time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3760145B1Access devices and associated methods of production
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP3760145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3760145B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3760145B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Aspects of access devices (10) and methods are disclosed. One aspect of this disclosure is a device (10). The device (10) may comprise: a needle guide body (20) extending along a central axis (A-A) between a distal end (20D) and a proximal end (20P,), a needle guide lumen (22) extending through the distal (20D) and proximal ends (20P) of the needle guide body (20) along the central axis (A-A), and a base (30) monolithically attached to the needle guide body (20) to define a non-variable patient-specific insertion path. Additional devices and methods are disclosed.