Lithotripsy Drill and Capture Mechanism for Mobile Calculus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser lithotripsy techniques face challenges in efficiently capturing, fragmenting, and removing stones within the body due to the mobility of free-floating calculi and varying stone hardness, which increases procedure time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a drill and an acoustic transducer delivered through an endoscope to create a recess in the stone, followed by the deployment of a capture portion to constrain the stone and a method involving the use of ultrasonic or laser energy to fragment the stone from within, facilitating controlled fragmentation and capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional laser lithotripsy is used to treat mobile calculi, then the stone can be targeted, but the stone moves freely making capture and fragmentation difficult, increasing procedure time
Solution Approach 1:
The drill creates a recess or passage through the stone before the acoustic transducer is activated. This preliminary structural modification provides a target zone and facilitates subsequent capture and fragmentation operations, reducing the time needed to achieve complete stone treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The capture portion acts as an intermediary device between the acoustic transducer and the mobile calculus. It constrains the stone in place during fragmentation, transforming the free-moving target into a stationary object that can be effectively treated and then removed
2Reliability
If a drill and acoustic transducer system is used, then controlled fragmentation can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a drill component for creating access passages, an acoustic transducer for fragmentation, and a capture portion for constraining and removing the stone. Each module performs a specific function independently, making the complex overall system more manageable and easier to operate through sequential actions
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 procedure time by maintaining stone position and preventing unwanted movement, improving the efficiency of stone fragmentation and removal, leading to a higher post-procedure stone-free rate.
Implementation Method 1
exciting the acoustic transducer to transmit acoustic energy to the mobile calculus to fragment the mobile calculus
Implementation Method 2
drilling a hole through the mobile calculus to create a recess into the mobile calculus or a passage through the mobile calculus
Data Source
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AI summary
A system to deliver energy to treat a mobile calculus, the system can include a drill (126) and a lateral energy emitter. The drill (126) can be configured to drill (126) a recess into the mobile calculus or a passage through the mobile calculus. The lateral energy emitter can be configured to be advanced into the recess or the passage and to transmit the energy internal to the mobile calculus to fragment the mobile calculus. In some examples, the system can include a deployable capture portion (246) to constrain a stone relative to the capture portion (246).