Peristaltic Polymer Plug for Kidney Stone Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing kidney stones and fragments are invasive, painful, and often incomplete, with conventional lithotripsy procedures being elaborate and costly, and stents are ineffective for larger stones or fragments due to blockages.
Innovation Solution
A method using a non-tissue adhesive polymer plug generated in situ by temperature, pH, or ionic interactions, which is propelled through the urinary tract by peristalsis to remove calculi and fragments, potentially replacing or following lithotripsy procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lithotripsy procedures are used to remove kidney stones, then stones can be fragmented and removed, but the procedures are invasive, painful, and elaborate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical lithotripsy systems (ultrasonic transducers, laser beams, shock waves) with a peristaltic pump system that uses natural peristalsis to propel a polymer plug. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive mechanical instruments and high-energy physical fields, thereby reducing tissue damage and pain while maintaining stone removal capability through the plug's movement through the urinary tract
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the body's own peristaltic movements to propel the polymer plug and facilitate stone removal, rather than requiring external mechanical intervention. The natural peristalsis of the urinary tract serves the dual purpose of both urine flow and plug propulsion, eliminating the need for separate invasive mechanical systems and reducing overall procedure complexity and patient discomfort
2Ease of operation
If extracorporeal lithotripsy is used to fragment stones, then stones can be broken up without invasive surgery, but the procedure is elaborate and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of lithotripsy (stone fragmentation and removal) from the complex extracorporeal shock wave system and implements it through a simple peristaltic pump delivering a polymer plug. By separating the stone removal function from the complex shock wave generation and delivery system, the patent achieves non-invasive treatment with significantly reduced procedure complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the treatment approach by using a peristaltic pump to deliver a polymer plug instead of extracorporeal shock waves. This parameter change transforms the treatment from a complex, expensive, multi-component system into a simple, cost-effective procedure that maintains non-invasive benefits while dramatically reducing device complexity
3Productivity
If stents are used to decompress ureteral obstructions, then urine can drain from kidney to bladder, but stents are ineffective for larger stones or fragments due to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a stent that attempts to maintain a small open passage through which stones must pass (which fails for larger stones), the patent inverts the approach by using a peristaltic pump to actively propel a polymer plug that pushes stones and fragments through the ureter. This inversion of the passive stent approach to an active propulsion system enables effective removal of larger stones and fragments that would block traditional stents
4Reliability
If rigid cystoscopy-like instruments are used for percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy, then stones can be broken up through a small incision, but the procedure is painful and requires invasive surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid cystoscopy-like instruments and ultrasonic transducers with a peristaltic pump system that delivers a polymer plug through natural peristalsis. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive surgical instruments and the associated pain, while maintaining the ability to fragment and remove stones through the urinary tract's natural movement mechanisms
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 reduces tissue damage, shortens procedure time, and effectively removes stones and fragments without the need for invasive techniques, improving treatment efficacy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer plug is generated in situ by one or more physical phenomena, such as temperature, pH change and/or ionic interactions
Implementation Method 2
the polymer plug is generated in situ by one or more physical phenomena, such as temperature, pH change and/or ionic interactions
Implementation Method 3
the polymer plug is generated in situ by one or more physical phenomena, such as temperature, pH change and/or ionic interactions
Implementation Method 4
using the plug to remove calculi and/or calculi fragments from the lumen through the passage of the polymer plug through the lumen due to the natural action of peristalsis on the polymer plug
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.