Nested Pulling Element for Medical Drainage Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical drainage systems for pathological fluid accumulation, such as ichor, face challenges in damage-free placement within body cavities due to issues like overtube length and diameter, and stenosis of hollow organs, which can lead to tissue irritation or tearing during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A medical product comprising a fluid collection element and a fluid communication element with a pulling element integrated inside, allowing for safe and damage-free placement by adjusting the distance between elements and locking it in place, and a detachable pulling element to prevent tissue irritation upon removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the overtube is made short or with large diameter to facilitate sponge placement, then the sponge can be easily pushed or pulled into the cavity, but the drainage tube cannot be pulled using grasping instrument due to its thickness and smooth surface, and the sponge may be torn out
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling element is nested inside the drainage tube (fluid communication element), allowing the drainage tube to be pulled through the overtube without requiring external grasping of the tube itself. The pulling element serves as an internal retrieval mechanism that can be grasped externally while the drainage tube remains protected and intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling element acts as an intermediary between the external grasping instrument and the drainage tube. Instead of directly grasping the smooth drainage tube surface, the grasping instrument captures the pulling element (e.g., loop or filament), which is mechanically connected to the drainage tube, thereby enabling controlled retrieval without compromising tube integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the grasping instrument is positioned on the sponge for placement in the body cavity, then the sponge can be placed, but there is a risk that the sponge may be torn out
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval function is extracted from the sponge and transferred to a separate pulling element that is integrated with the drainage tube. The sponge's only interaction with the grasping instrument is temporary placement; thereafter, the pulling element becomes the sole retrieval mechanism, eliminating the risk of sponge tearing during removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the sponge (fluid collection element) for absorption, the drainage tube (fluid communication element) for fluid removal, and the pulling element for retrieval. Each component has its dedicated function, preventing the sponge from being subjected to mechanical stress during retrieval operations.
3Ease of operation
If a pulling element is connected to the drainage tube, then the drainage tube can be pulled for placement, but the pulling element may cause irritation, form adhesions, and lead to tissue tearing when removed
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling element is designed as a temporary, disposable component that fulfills its placement function and is then removed. It is not intended for long-term retention in the body, minimizing the window for adhesion formation. The pulling element can be made from biocompatible, low-cost materials that do not provoke significant tissue reaction during its brief presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling element is designed to be quickly inserted and quickly removed, minimizing the duration of tissue contact. By rushing through the placement and removal process efficiently, the opportunity for adhesion formation and tissue irritation is reduced to the absolute minimum necessary time.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a medical product for the drainage of pathological accumulation of fluids such as accumulations of ichor, comprising a fluid collection element and a fluid communication element, wherein the fluid communication element is at least partially arranged inside the fluid collection element and connected therewith so as to conduct fluid, and wherein a pulling element for placement of the product in a human or animal body is arranged inside said fluid communication element. The invention also concerns a medical set for the drainage of pathological accumulation of fluids such as accumulations of ichor, comprising a spatially separate fluid collection element, fluid communication element, and pulling element.