Lithotripsy Probe Evacuation Control for Anti-Clogging Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clogging of calculi fragments along the evacuation pathway during lithotripsy procedures impedes continuous operation, requiring manual intervention or device replacement, disrupting the procedure and increasing operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A lithotripsy system with controller circuitry that detects clogging indications and initiates anti-clogging modes, such as altering acoustic energy, suction flow, or pressure to prevent or remediate clogging, ensuring continuous operation without halting the procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual clogging intervention is performed during lithotripsy procedure, then clogging is cleared, but procedure continuity is interrupted and operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevacuation pathway patencyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects clogging conditions through pressure sensors and triggers anti-clogging modes without requiring manual intervention. The device serves itself by autonomously clearing obstructions through reversed suction or pressure pulses, eliminating the need for operator intervention and maintaining procedural continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure sensors continuously monitor the evacuation pathway for clogging conditions and provide feedback to the control system. When clogging is detected, the system automatically adjusts suction parameters or activates anti-clogging modes, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains evacuation pathway patency without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If device replacement is performed due to clogging, then operational continuity is restored, but procedure time increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidprocedural efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary anti-clogging actions by detecting early signs of clogging through pressure monitoring and automatically initiating clearing protocols before complete blockage occurs. This preventive approach maintains device functionality and avoids the need for device replacement, thereby preserving procedural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic anti-clogging system ensures continuous operation by rapidly clearing obstructions and restoring evacuation flow without interrupting the lithotripsy procedure. The system maintains uninterrupted calculi fragment removal, eliminating downtime associated with device replacement and maximizing procedural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If suction parameters are increased to prevent clogging, then evacuation efficiency improves, but risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevacuation efficiencyVSAvoidtissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts suction parameters based on real-time pressure feedback from sensors monitoring the evacuation pathway. Suction strength is automatically modulated to match the actual clogging condition, providing maximum evacuation efficiency when needed while reducing suction intensity when tissue damage risk increases, thereby balancing productivity and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes suction parameters (pressure, flow rate) in response to detected clogging conditions. When mild clogging is detected, suction intensity is increased to clear the pathway; when severe clogging or tissue damage risk is detected, parameters are adjusted to prevent harm while maintaining adequate evacuation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents and addresses clogging by automatically adjusting system parameters, maintaining continuous lithotripsy operation, reducing the need for manual intervention and device replacement, and enhancing procedural efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic transducer for delivering acoustic energy to a patient through the probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic energy: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

a pressure source, coupled to the evacuation pathway, for providing a negative pressure in the evacuation pathway to remove at least a portion of the one or more calculi from the patient through the evacuation pathway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12478393B2Anti-clogging during calculi evacuation

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 GYRUS ACMI INC

AI summary

A lithotripsy system can include a lithotripsy device and controller circuitry. The device for acoustic calculi fracture can include an acoustic treatment probe for providing acoustic energy along the probe to treat one or more calculi and an evacuation pathway extending at least partially via the prob, for removing at least a portion of the one or more calculi via the evacuation pathway. The controller circuitry, coupled to the lithotripsy device, can be configured to receive an indication of clogging of the evacuation pathway and at least one of initiate or adjust a anti-clogging mode for changing at least one characteristic of evacuation via the evacuation pathway in response to the received indication of clogging.