Sealing Member Suction Device for Kidney Stone Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing kidney stones, such as shock wave lithotripsy, transurethral lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, face challenges like high recurrence rates, long procedure times, and potential patient complications, including ischemia, obstruction, and infection, due to difficulties in accurately capturing and removing stones.
Innovation Solution
A method and device involving an elongated member with a sealing mechanism that moves along the urinary tract to draw stones into a retrieval space using suction, while preventing their ejection, allowing for the collection and removal of stones in a controlled manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional stone removal procedures (URS, PCNL) are used, then stones can be removed from the body, but the procedure time becomes excessively long and stone free rate remains low due to the need to remove crush pieces one by one
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the stone removal process into distinct functional zones within the elongated member: a retrieval space for collecting stones, a sealing member for creating suction, and an outlet for controlled discharge. This segmentation allows simultaneous stone collection and fluid management, improving efficiency without extending procedure time
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs hydraulic principles by using fluid flow through the elongated member to create suction that draws stones into the retrieval space. The sealing member prevents fluid leakage while maintaining negative pressure, enabling efficient stone aspiration without requiring manual removal of each fragment
2Ease of operation
If shock wave lithotripsy is used, then the procedure is simple to perform, but the stone free rate is low and recurrence rate is high due to inability to accurately capture and remove all stone fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces an intermediary retrieval mechanism between shock wave lithotripsy and stone removal. The elongated member with its retrieval space and sealing member acts as a mediator that captures stone fragments after lithotripsy, ensuring complete removal while maintaining the simplicity of the overall procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary stone collection and containment within the retrieval space before final removal. This preliminary action ensures that all stone fragments are captured and secured, preventing recurrence while maintaining procedural simplicity
3Quantity of substance
If percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used for large calculus, then stones can be effectively treated, but patient complications increase due to narrow and long access route causing ischemia, obstruction, and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts stones directly through the elongated member's retrieval space, taking them out of the body through a controlled pathway. This extraction mechanism reduces the need for complex access routes and minimizes trauma to surrounding tissues, lowering complication risks while maintaining effectiveness for large calculus
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is movably positioned within the elongated member, allowing dynamic adjustment during the procedure. This mobility enables the sealing member to adapt to different stone sizes and positions, optimizing the retrieval process while minimizing trauma and complication risks
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 enhances the efficiency of stone removal by reducing recurrence rates and minimizing complications, enabling the collection of stones in a single procedure with improved accuracy and reduced risk of patient harm.
Implementation Method 1
moving the sealing member that is in sealing contact with the inner surface of the lumen of the elongated member in a proximal direction to draw fluid and at least some of the calculus into the retrieval space
Data Source
AI summary
A method of retrieving calculus includes positioning an elongated member in the lumen of the living body, wherein the elongated member includes a sealing member positioned in the lumen of the elongated member and possessing an outer surface in sealing contact with the inner surface of the lumen of the elongated member. The method also involves proximally moving the sealing member while the outer surface of the sealing member is in contact with the inner surface of the lumen in the elongated member to cause fluid and calculus in the living body to pass through the inlet of the elongated member and be introduced into a retrieval space, discharging at least some of the fluid in the retrieval space out of the retrieval space by way of an outlet, and withdrawing the elongated member from the living body while the calculus in the retrieval space remains in the retrieval space.