Magnetic Urethral Dilation via Prostatic Repulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for urethral stricture caused by an enlarged prostate are often invasive, temporary, and prone to recurrence, with potential encrustation and infection issues, lacking a minimally invasive and permanent or controllable solution for maintaining urethral dilation.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic or magnetizable elements positioned within the prostate to repel each other, dilating the constricted urethra, with options for permanent or biodegradable implants and controllable magnetization to maintain luminal expansion, reducing the risk of encrustation and infection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional invasive approaches are used to hold the urethra open, then urethral dilation can be achieved, but the treatment is invasive and may not last a prolonged period with recurrence of constriction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical dilation devices (balloons, stents, tethers) with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetizable elements are implanted in the prostate tissue and activated by an external magnetic field to repel each other, providing sustained mechanical force to keep the urethra open without requiring permanent implanted mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic properties of the implanted elements by controlling magnetization levels. The magnetizable elements can be partially or fully magnetized to provide different levels of repulsive force, allowing adjustable and controllable urethral dilation. This enables permanent or long-term treatment with controllable intensity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If temporary dilation devices are used, then urethral expansion can be achieved, but the devices are temporary and allow the urethra to revert to constricted state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces temporary mechanical dilation devices with a magnetic field-activated system. The magnetizable elements remain implanted permanently in the prostate tissue but only exert repulsive force when activated by an external magnetic field. This allows permanent structural support with controllable action duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetizable elements serve themselves by maintaining their magnetic properties long-term without requiring replacement. The external magnetic field activation provides on-demand dilation without needing to re-insert devices, eliminating the temporary nature of previous solutions.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If devices remain in the urethra for permanent dilation, then sustained urethral opening can be achieved, but encrustation and infection issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dilation function from permanent urethral implants by using magnetizable elements implanted in the prostate tissue instead. The urethra itself remains free of foreign objects, eliminating surfaces for encrustation while maintaining dilation through magnetic repulsion between the prostatic implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field as an intermediary to transmit the dilation force. Instead of having solid devices in contact with urine flow, the magnetic field acts as a mediator to exert force through the tissue, keeping the urethral lumen clear of encrustation-prone materials.
4Speed
If sudden dilation is performed, then rapid urethral opening can be achieved, but the approach is not gradual and may cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables periodic or progressive activation of the magnetic field to achieve gradual dilation. The external magnetic field can be applied in increasing increments or maintained at lower levels initially, allowing tissue adaptation before full activation. This provides control over the speed and gradualness of the dilation process.
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 provides a minimally invasive, permanent, or controllable method for urethral dilation, reducing the risk of encrustation and infection, while maintaining effective urethral expansion over time, addressing the limitations of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic or magnetizable elements can be deployed in and around the prostate area surrounding the constricted urethral lumen, and aligned to repel on another. The magnetic repulsion can help widen the constricted urethra.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first and second elongated members can include at least one magnetizable or magnetic element, such that the first and second elongated members are magnetizable to repel each other to dilate a lumen therebetween.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed relate to a device for insertion into the urethra for dilation. The present disclosure includes methods and devices including a device for at least partial insertion into a prostate, the device including first and second elongated members each having at least one magnetizable or magnetic element. The first and second elongated members are magnetizable to repel each other to dilate a lumen therebetween.