Magnetically Deployable Urinary Stent for Patency and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinary stents are often rigid, uncomfortable for patients, and may not maintain patency over their lifetime due to potential collapse or kinking, limiting the passage of fluids and debris, especially after kidney stone procedures like lithotripsy.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically configurable compliant stent, shunt, or plug made of a thin, deformable material with embedded magnetizable elements that can transition between a collapsed and expanded state using an external magnetic field, allowing for ease of insertion and maintenance of patency within the ureter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a urinary stent is made rigid to maintain structural integrity and patency, then the stent can resist collapse and kinking, but the stent causes pain and discomfort to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The stent transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change its mechanical properties. The stent is deployed in a compressed low-profile state for insertion, then expanded to a larger diameter for patency maintenance, allowing it to adapt to different functional requirements throughout its lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
The stent's physical parameters (diameter, profile, rigidity) are changed between states. In the compressed state, the stent has a small diameter and low profile suitable for insertion through the ureter. After deployment, it expands to a larger diameter to maintain patency while conforming to the ureteral wall to reduce discomfort
2Reliability
If a urinary stent is made with a large lateral diameter to maintain patency and allow fluid passage, then the stent can prevent collapse and kinking, but the stent causes pain and discomfort during insertion and while in place
Solution Approach 1:
The stent dynamically changes its lateral diameter between a compressed state for insertion and an expanded state for patency maintenance. This dynamic size adjustment allows the stent to minimize patient discomfort during insertion while maximizing fluid passage capability when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The stent utilizes a flexible membrane structure that can be compressed to a thin profile for insertion and then expanded to provide adequate luminal area for fluid passage. The flexible nature of the membrane allows it to conform to the ureteral wall, reducing discomfort while maintaining patency
3Ease of operation
If a urinary stent is inserted in a collapsed state to reduce insertion trauma, then the stent can be inserted more easily, but the stent may collapse or kink during its lifetime, compromising patency
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed to be dynamically deployable, allowing it to be inserted in a compressed low-profile state and then actively expanded to a stable open configuration. This dynamic transition ensures easy insertion while maintaining reliable patency through the expanded state
Solution Approach 2:
The stent replaces passive mechanical support structures with an active magnetic field-based support system. Permanent magnets embedded in the stent generate magnetic repulsion forces that actively maintain the expanded configuration, preventing collapse and kinking while allowing easy insertion in a compressed state
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a urinary stent is made of thin compliant material to reduce patient discomfort, then the stent is more comfortable for the patient, but the stent may collapse or kink, compromising the passage of fluids and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The stent replaces traditional mechanical support structures (wires, frames) with a magnetic field-based support system. Permanent magnets embedded in the thin compliant membrane generate magnetic repulsion forces that actively maintain the stent's expanded configuration, preventing collapse and kinking while allowing the use of thin comfortable materials
Solution Approach 2:
The stent is constructed as a composite structure combining a thin compliant membrane material with embedded permanent magnets. This composite design allows the membrane to remain thin and comfortable for the patient while the magnetic elements provide the structural support needed to maintain patency and prevent collapse
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 stent maintains an expanded state to ensure unobstructed fluid and debris flow, reduces patient discomfort, and facilitates easy insertion and removal by transitioning between states, thereby addressing the limitations of conventional stents.
Implementation Method 1
An internal permanent magnet or other electromagnetic applicator can be used to provide an in-vivo magnetic field. The magnetic field can be used to help expand the stent, shunt, or plug
Implementation Method 2
The applicator can be used to establish or alter the magnetic field in and around the device, which can induce attraction or repulsion between the magnetic features
Implementation Method 3
One or more magnetized elements of the stent, shunt, or plug can maintain the expanded configuration during in vivo deployment. The stent can be made of a thin, compliant material such as a polymer, such as with embedded magnetizable material that, when subject to a magnetic field, can be magnetized
Data Source
AI summary
A stent, shunt, or plug, for at least partial insertion into a patient, can include a deformable elongated tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a longitudinal lumen of the tubular body therebetween. The deformable elongated body can be capable of an expanded state and a collapsed state. The tubular body can include a sheath and a plurality of magnetizable or magnetic elements for providing magnetic repulsion, after being magnetically actuated, to maintain the tubular body to maintain the expanded state.