Nested Dilation Members for Sinus Cavity Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dilating body cavities, such as sinus ostia, often result in fracture or tearing due to balloon catheter inflation, and lack effectiveness in accommodating individual anatomical variations, leading to complications and inefficiencies in medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a series of members with progressively larger diameters and flexible distal ends, equipped with guard wires and handles for controlled insertion and visualization, allowing for safe and efficient dilation of body cavities without fracturing, and enabling the delivery of medical devices and therapeutic agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If balloon catheters are used to dilate sinus ostia, then dilation of the cavity is achieved, but fracture or tearing of the cavity may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dilation process is divided into multiple stages using a series of members with progressively larger diameters. Each member is inserted sequentially through the previous member, allowing gradual expansion of the cavity without sudden stress that could cause fracture. This segmented approach replaces the single-step balloon inflation method.
Solution Approach 2:
Before inserting larger diameter members, the cavity is first prepared and dilated by smaller diameter members. The distal end of each member is deflected to facilitate insertion through the cavity opening. This preliminary action of gradual preparation prevents direct trauma from large-diameter instruments.
2Reliability
If stiff-shaft preshaped balloon catheters are used, then positioning in sinus ostia is achieved, but difficulty in accommodating individual anatomical variations occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end of each member is made flexible and deflectable, allowing the instrument to adapt to different anatomical paths and angles. The operator can control the deflection of the distal end to navigate individual anatomical variations while maintaining reliable positioning in the sinus ostia.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a set of members with varying diameters and deflection characteristics. The operator can select and adjust parameters such as member diameter and distal end deflection angle to match individual patient anatomy, thereby accommodating anatomical variations while achieving reliable positioning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a series of members with progressively larger diameters are inserted, then cavity dilation is achieved without fracture, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each member in the series is designed to be inserted through the previous member, creating a nested configuration. The second member passes through the first member, the third through the second, and so on. This nesting principle allows multiple members to be stored compactly and deployed sequentially, managing device complexity while achieving gradual dilation without fracture.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple members are used for dilation, then safe insertion is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested design allows all members to be contained within the first member before insertion. The operator inserts the entire nested set as a single unit, then sequentially deploys each member by advancing it through the previous member. This approach maintains insertion safety while simplifying the procedural steps compared to handling multiple separate instruments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dilating a body cavity with a device including a series of elongated members, each having a central channel and increasing outer diameters where the members are positioned one over the other such that the members are advanced into the body cavity to incrementally dilate the body cavity. The central channels of each member allow for various procedures to be performed including, for example, the application of wireless energy (e.g., ultrasonic) to the body cavity, the introduction of an irrigating fluid and aspiration from the body cavity, and the introduction of a drug to the body cavity.