Shape-Memory Bladder Sensor Assembly for Retention and Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bladder sensors face challenges in maintaining their position within the bladder and ensuring easy and trauma-free insertion and removal, particularly due to their design and material properties.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sensor with a shape memory spring biased to a curved position for bladder retention and a cylindrical shape for insertion, combined with an insertion tool featuring a sheath and push rod for controlled deployment and retrieval, allowing for rotational alignment and minimal trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is designed with a curved shape for bladder retention, then the sensor can be reliably retained in the bladder, but the sensor cannot be easily inserted through the urethra
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor incorporates a shape memory alloy that enables dynamic shape transformation. The sensor can be straightened to a cylindrical form for easy insertion through the urethra, then transforms back to a curved form once deployed in the bladder for reliable retention. This dynamic shape change resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and bladder retention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor is made rigid for structural stability, then the sensor maintains its shape, but the sensor causes trauma during insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor utilizes shape memory alloy properties to change its physical parameters (shape and flexibility) based on temperature or other stimuli. During insertion, the sensor adopts a flexible, streamlined configuration that minimizes tissue trauma. Once deployed, it transitions to a rigid, stable configuration that maintains its position and composition in the bladder, thus resolving the contradiction between shape stability and trauma reduction.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor is designed with complex engagement features for rotation control, then the sensor can be precisely oriented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor incorporates asymmetric engagement features such as a keyway and protrusion that enable precise rotational alignment through simple geometric constraints. This asymmetric design allows the sensor to be oriented correctly during insertion without requiring complex control mechanisms, thus achieving precise rotational alignment while minimizing device complexity.
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 solution enables reliable, low-cost, and efficient insertion and retrieval of bladder sensors with reduced trauma, ensuring proper positioning and ease of use for clinicians.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible sensor configured for use in a bladder is moveable from a first position in which it is configured to not be discharged or dislodged from the bladder to a second position in which it is configured to be inserted into the bladder. The sensor is preferably biased to the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible sensor configured for use in a bladder is flexible and moveable from a first position in which it is configured to not be discharged from the bladder to a second position in which it is configured to be inserted into the bladder. A sensor insertion tool includes an over sheath, a push rod configured to be inserted into a first lumen of the over sheath. The flexible sensor is positioned in the first lumen of the over sheath, the push rod is then inserted partially into the over sheath behind the flexible sensor. The sensor insertion tool is then positioned at a location, such as the opening to the bladder, in which the sensor is to be deployed.