Paranasal Sinus Implant Fluid Access via Protective Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for paranasal sinus conditions, including sinusitis, face challenges in delivering effective medication and performing medical procedures due to inadequate drug delivery and surgical interventions, with existing surgical approaches offering only moderate symptomatic improvement and not achieving widespread acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A paranasal sinus access implant device configured to provide fluid access through an internal passage, allowing for the administration of eye drops or direct injection of fluids into the sinus, and a fluid manipulation tool for introducing fluids or applying suction, which can be used with a syringe attachment for efficient delivery and aspiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical interactions are used to access the implant device (inserting needles, passing devices), then treatment can be delivered to the paranasal sinus, but the implant device may be structurally damaged or dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective cap as an intermediary component that covers the opening of the implant device. This cap acts as a mediator between the treatment delivery process and the implant device structure, allowing fluid-based treatments to be administered while preventing mechanical damage. The cap can be temporarily removed or displaced for treatment access and then replaced to protect the device, thus enabling treatment delivery without compromising structural integrity.
2Reliability
If surgical interventions are performed to increase drainage, then symptomatic improvement may be achieved, but the procedures are complex and do not achieve widespread acceptance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment approach into distinct components: the implant device itself, the protective cap, and the fluid manipulation tool. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the implant provides the access pathway, the cap provides protection, and the fluid tool delivers treatment. This modular approach simplifies the overall procedure compared to complex surgical interventions while maintaining effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If oral or nasal topical administration is used for medication delivery, then treatment can be administered conveniently, but adequate concentration of medication cannot be delivered to the paranasal sinus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes fluid dynamics principles through the fluid manipulation tool, which can introduce fluid under pressure directly into the implant device and paranasal sinus. This hydraulic approach ensures adequate medication concentration is delivered to the target site by controlling fluid pressure and flow, overcoming the limitation of oral or topical administration where medication concentration at the target is insufficient.
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 effective delivery of treatment compositions to the paranasal sinus, facilitating medical procedures while minimizing mechanical interactions that could damage the implant device or disrupt its anchoring, thereby improving treatment outcomes for chronic sinusitis patients.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid transmission structure configured to transmit fluid between the fluid container and the paranasal sinus access implant device
Implementation Method 2
applying suction to the internal passage for aspiration of fluid from a paranasal sinus through the internal passage and into the fluid container
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses, tools and kits are directed to fluid manipulations in relation to a paranasal sinus through a paranasal sinus access implant device (906) that provides fluid communication between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus. An implant device has a proximal head and a conduit distal of the head, with the conduit having a first longitudinal portion having a larger minimum wall thickness than a minimum wall thickness of a second a second longitudinal portion of the conduit located distal of the first longitudinal portion. A paranasal sinus fluid manipulation tool (900) has an engagement structure (904) insertable into the palpebral fissure to engage a head of the implant device.