Medical Device Mixing Unit for Flow Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices struggle to determine the presence or absence of a discharging flow in biological body lumens, relying on pressure measurements and visual inspection, which are inadequate for clear discrimination.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a shaft and discharge lumen that includes a mixing unit to introduce fluid or a moving body into the discharge passage, creating an appearance contrast to improve flow discriminability, and a suction unit to manage debris, with a transparent discharge passage for visual observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure measurement is used to determine flow stoppage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the color change principle by introducing contrast agent into the discharge passage to create visual distinction between flowing and stagnant fluid. The contrast agent changes the appearance of the fluid, enabling operators to visually detect flow presence or stoppage without complex pressure measurement systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
2Loss of information
If fluid is introduced into the discharge passage to improve flow visibility, then flow discriminability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to mix contrast agent with the fluid for visibility enhancement and to prevent backflow through its structural design. This integration of multiple functions into a single component reduces overall device complexity while achieving the goal of improved flow discriminability.
3Loss of information
If mixing unit is added to create appearance contrast, then flow discriminability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the contrast agent introduction function and the backflow prevention function into a single mixing unit component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components in the device while maintaining both functions, thereby improving flow discrimination capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Productivity
If suction means is used to collect debris, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic and hydraulic principles through the suction means that utilizes pressure differentials to collect and remove debris from the discharge passage. This approach achieves efficient debris removal (improved productivity) through fluid dynamics rather than complex mechanical collection systems, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
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
Enhances the ability to visually distinguish between the presence and absence of a discharging flow, ensuring secure operation by preventing backflow and effectively managing debris, while maintaining stable device operation through fluid mixing and suction.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing unit capable of supplying, to the discharge passage, fluid or a moving body movable in the discharge passage
Implementation Method 2
A suction producer is in fluid communication with the discharge lumen so that operation of the suction producer during use of the medical device produces suction in the discharge lumen that causes the object cut by the cutting unit to enter the discharge lumen
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device exhibits an improved ability to discriminate the nature of a discharging flow. The medical device that discharges an object from a biological body lumen includes a shaft that extends from a proximal side toward a distal side and includes a discharge lumen through which the object can pass to the proximal side, a discharge passage in communication with a proximal portion of the discharge lumen, and a mixing unit capable of supplying fluid to the discharge passage.