Laser Lithotripsy Guide System with Pronged Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
During lithotripsy procedures, achieving a specified spacing between the lithotripsy device and the stone is challenging due to stone movement and difficulty in determining the exact distance, leading to inefficient energy application and potential laser fiber damage.
Innovation Solution
A guide system with a distal end portion featuring at least one prong is used to secure the stone, coupled with a mounting assembly that limits axial movement of the laser fiber, ensuring a precise spacing and stability through suction pressure and friction fit within the endoscope's working channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the laser fiber is freely positioned without a guide system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spacing precision between the laser fiber and the stone cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
A guide system acts as an intermediary device between the laser fiber and the stone. The guide includes a guide shaft that receives the laser fiber and a guide tip with prongs that engage the stone, thereby mediating the spacing relationship and maintaining precise distance without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex active mechanical positioning systems with a simpler passive mechanical guide structure. The guide system uses the physical geometry of the guide shaft and guide tip prongs to mechanically constrain the laser fiber position and maintain spacing, eliminating the need for active motors, sensors, or control systems.
2Reliability
If the laser fiber position is not constrained, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of energy application is reduced due to potential laser fiber damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system performs preliminary positioning action by pre-establishing the correct spacing between the laser fiber and the stone through the fixed geometry of the guide shaft and guide tip. This preliminary mechanical constraint ensures reliable energy application before the laser firing begins, preventing damage without requiring continuous active monitoring or adjustment during operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the guide system uses a fixed rigid structure, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different stone positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system incorporates dynamic elements through the flexible guide tip that can adapt to different stone positions and orientations. The guide tip may include flexible prongs or a flexible distal portion that can conform to the stone surface, allowing the rigid guide shaft to maintain precise spacing while adapting to varying anatomical conditions and stone locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A laser lithotripsy guide system for guiding a laser fiber during a lithotripsy procedure may include a guide which may include a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The guide may define a guide bore to receive a laser fiber therethrough. The guide may include at least one prong on the distal end portion. The guide system may also include a mounting assembly which may be securable to the laser fiber. The mounting assembly may be releasably insertable into the proximal end portion of the guide to releasably secure the mounting assembly to the guide.