Prostatic Urethral Implant Retrieval for Precise Placement and Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of accurately and consistently delivering implants into the prostatic urethra in a minimally-invasive manner is complicated by the tortuous anatomical geometry and patient-to-patient variability, making it difficult to design systems with sufficient flexibility for precise placement.

Innovation Solution

A delivery system comprising an elongate delivery device with a proximal control device, featuring multiple tubular components, imaging capabilities, and a self-expanding implant design that navigates tortuous anatomy, allowing controlled deployment and retrieval of implants within the prostatic urethra.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the delivery system is made highly flexible to navigate tortuous anatomy, then the ability to reach the prostatic urethra is improved, but the precision of implant placement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to navigate tortuous anatomyVSAvoidprecision of implant placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into multiple segments including an introducer, delivery catheter, and implant components. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the introducer provides flexibility for navigation while the delivery catheter maintains structural integrity for precise implant placement at the target site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter acts as an intermediary between the introducer and the implant. It receives the implant from the flexible introducer and provides a stable platform for precise deployment, mediating between the need for flexibility during insertion and precision during placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a minimally-invasive approach is used to reduce patient trauma, then the ease of operation is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring implant position worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally-invasive deliveryVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting implant position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The implant incorporates radiopaque materials that appear distinct under imaging modalities, enabling clear visualization and confirmation of implant position and orientation during the minimally-invasive procedure without requiring more invasive diagnostic interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the implant design is simplified for easier delivery, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of the implant function worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of implant designVSAvoidreliability of implant function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The implant采用嵌套结构，将功能元件集成在紧凑的设计中。这种嵌套设计既保持了结构的简单性便于制造，又通过多层次的功能集成确保了植入后的可靠功能。Implant can be delivered in a compressed state within the delivery catheter, then expands or deploys at the target site to achieve its full functional form, ensuring both ease of delivery and functional reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250366972A1Systems, devices, and methods for the retrieval of an implant in the prostatic urethra

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 ZENFLOW INC

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for retrieval of an implant from the prostatic urethra. Embodiments of retrieval systems can include a device for insertion into the patient and a proximal control device for use in grasping a portion of the implant and withdrawing the implant into a lumen of the retrieval system.