Shape-Retaining Metal Guide Tube for Complex Anatomical Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical instruments face difficulty in readily reaching or approaching treatment target sites due to complex anatomical routes, especially when treating cells that require selective light activation.
Innovation Solution
A deformable metal guide tube with shape-retention function that allows medical instruments to be guided and inserted, conforming to body lumens to facilitate access to treatment targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid medical instrument is used for light irradiation, then structural stability is maintained, but the instrument cannot readily reach or approach specific cells located in complex anatomical routes
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube employs a shape memory alloy that can dynamically change its shape in response to temperature changes. The tube is deformable at body temperature to navigate complex anatomical routes, then automatically returns to its original shape upon cooling, providing structural stability for instrument support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature as a control parameter to change the physical properties of the shape memory alloy. By controlling the temperature (heating to deform, cooling to restore), the guide tube transitions between flexible and rigid states, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural stability
2Ease of operation
If a deformable guide tube is used to reach complex anatomical routes, then access to treatment target is improved, but the tube may lose its shape and fail to maintain position
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy provides dynamic shape control based on temperature conditions. During insertion, the tube remains deformable to conform to complex routes. Once positioned, cooling restores the original shape, providing automatic shape retention and positional stability without additional fixation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tube performs self-shaping and self-stabilization through the shape memory effect. The material automatically returns to its predetermined shape when temperature conditions change, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems to maintain position and shape
3Ease of operation
If a metal guide tube is designed to be deformable, then ease of insertion is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube is manufactured with a predetermined shape stored in the shape memory alloy structure. This preliminary shaping is done during manufacturing when the material properties allow precise form control. The pre-set shape ensures consistent performance and positioning accuracy while maintaining deformability for insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes shape memory alloy, a specialized material combining metallic properties with shape memory characteristics. This material enables the tube to be manufactured with high precision in its initial state while maintaining the ability to deform and return to shape, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and operational flexibility
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
Enables medical instruments to easily reach and approach treatment sites, even in challenging anatomical locations, by maintaining a deformed shape and providing a stable pathway.
Implementation Method 1
a metal guide tube which is deformable and has a shape-retention function for maintaining a deformed shape
Implementation Method 2
has a shape-retention function for maintaining a deformed shape
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is a metal guide tube that is deformable, has a shape-retention function for maintaining a deformed shape, and is configured to allow a medical instrument to be guided and inserted into the metal guide tube, and deform to allow the medical instrument to reach or approach a treatment target site.