Reusable Balloon Pressurizer With Torque-Limited Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of disposable medical balloon pressurizers used in percutaneous kyphosis correction procedures is a significant financial burden on patients due to the expensive nature of the specialized indeflators required for balloon dilation, which cannot be reused.
Innovation Solution
A medical balloon pressurizer system comprising a syringe holder, motion conversion mechanism, and a driver with a torque limiting function, allowing the injector to be detachably attached and reused, reducing the need for expensive disposable equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specialized balloon indeflator is used for pressurized injection of contrast agent into medical balloon, then the balloon can be dilated with controlled pressure, but the device becomes expensive and must be disposed after each use
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two segments: a disposable injector containing the contrast agent and syringe, and a reusable pressurizer body containing the pressure control mechanism. This segmentation allows the expensive pressure control components to be reused while only the consumable injector is discarded, resolving the contradiction between reliability and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurizer body is designed as a universal device that can accommodate different injectors and work with various medical balloons. The standardized interface and pressure control mechanism allow one pressurizer body to serve multiple surgical procedures, reducing per-procedure costs while maintaining reliable pressure control.
2Measurement precision
If a threaded plunger mechanism is used to extrude contrast agent, then precise control of contrast agent injection is achieved, but the entire device must be disposed after use
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is segmented into a reusable pressurizer body containing the threaded plunger mechanism and a disposable injector containing the contrast agent. The precise threaded plunger mechanism is preserved in the reusable portion, while only the contrast agent and syringe are disposed of, eliminating the waste of expensive mechanical components.
3Reliability
If pressure gauge is integrated with syringe to monitor balloon pressure, then balloon rupture is prevented, but the syringe becomes part of the disposable expensive device
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure monitoring function is separated from the disposable syringe and integrated into the reusable pressurizer body. The syringe remains a simple, inexpensive disposable component, while the pressure gauge and pressure control mechanisms are part of the permanent equipment that can be used repeatedly, reducing overall system cost.
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
The system enables the reuse of the medical balloon pressurizer, significantly lowering the economic burden on patients by using general-purpose injectors, thereby reducing the cost of materials discarded after surgery.
Implementation Method 1
The motion conversion mechanism can be attached to the distal side of the support member to convert a rotational force of the driver into a force that pushes the plunger of the injector.
Implementation Method 2
The driver has a handle which provides a torque limiting function by idling when a torque to rotate the handle exceeds a predetermined value and not transmitting the torque to the motion conversion mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical balloon pressurizer according to the present invention includes a syringe holder, a motion conversion mechanism, a driver, and a support member, and is configured as follows. The syringe holder can be attached to the proximal side of the support member to detachably support an injector equipped with the syringe and the plunger. The motion conversion mechanism can be attached to the distal side of the support member to convert a rotational force of the driver into a force that pushes the plunger of the injector. The driver has a handle which provides a torque limiting function by idling when a torque to rotate the handle exceeds a predetermined value and not transmitting the torque to the motion conversion mechanism.