Elastomer Lithotriptor Spacers for Shaft Friction and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithotriptors experience undesirable wear and performance loss due to friction and vibration between the hollow shaft and the lumen during the breaking up of stones, which affects the device's efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of lateral spacers, such as fins, lobes, and protrusions, between the hollow shaft and the lumen, which maintain a separation while allowing fluid flow and reduce friction and vibration through the use of elastomer materials that provide damping and minimize wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hollow shaft contacts the lumen during operation, then structural support is maintained, but friction and vibration cause wear and performance loss
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the hollow shaft and the lumen. The spacer prevents direct contact between these two components, thereby eliminating friction and vibration between them. The spacer maintains the necessary structural relationship while acting as a mediator that absorbs mechanical interactions, solving the contradiction between maintaining structural support and preventing wear from friction.
2Reliability
If spacers are added to reduce friction, then wear is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is constructed from elastomeric material, which provides flexibility and compliance. This flexible spacer can conform to the interface between the hollow shaft and lumen, maintaining effective separation while accommodating minor misalignments or irregularities. The use of a single flexible component rather than multiple rigid parts reduces overall device complexity while achieving the wear protection function.
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
The spacers effectively reduce friction and wear, enhancing the performance and longevity of the lithotriptor by maintaining efficient operation and facilitating the removal of stone fragments through fluid flushing.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of lateral elastomer spacers may be coupled to the hollow shaft or allowed to freely slide along a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft
Implementation Method 2
reduce friction and vibration through the use of elastomer materials that provide damping
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device and associated methods are disclosed. In one example, the medical device includes a lithotriptor. One or more spacers are included that extend from an outside surface of a hollow shaft of the lithotriptor. At least one longitudinal pathway is included through the one or more lateral spacers. In one example, the one or more lateral spacers includes an elastomer material.