Spiral Stent Opening Cutting Device Without Mandrel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming openings in urinary stents, such as ureteral stents, often require a mandrel, leading to blade dulling and potential contamination, and lack flexibility to conform to the body's contours.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a drive and a blade that moves a tubular member from a first location to a second location, with the blade rotating about the outer surface to cut the tubular member, eliminating the need for a mandrel and enhancing flexibility by forming spiral openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mandrel is used to support the stent during cutting, then the stent maintains its structural integrity, but the blade becomes dull and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mandrel from the cutting process entirely. Instead of supporting the stent with a mandrel during cutting, the method uses a free-standing stent positioned in a cutting device with the blade rotating around the stent's outer surface, eliminating the source of blade dulling and contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cutting device as an intermediary between the blade and the stent. The cutting device includes a positioning mechanism that holds the stent without requiring internal mandrel support, allowing the blade to cut the stent wall externally while the stent remains structurally intact
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional cutting methods are used with a mandrel, then openings can be formed in the stent, but the stent lacks flexibility to conform to body contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates spiral-shaped openings with curved, continuous paths around the stent circumference rather than straight linear cuts. This spiral geometry allows the stent to maintain structural integrity while gaining flexibility to conform to the curved contours of the urinary tract
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting process creates multiple discrete openings distributed around the stent in a spiral pattern. These segmented openings provide flexibility points throughout the stent structure, allowing it to bend and conform to body contours while maintaining overall structural support
3Ease of manufacture
If the blade cuts the mandrel during the process, then openings are formed in the stent, but manufacturing precision is reduced due to blade dulling
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is completely removed from the cutting process. The stent is positioned freely in the cutting device and cut without internal support, preventing the blade from contacting any mandrel material and maintaining consistent cut quality throughout the process
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device uses a rotating blade that traces a spiral path around the stent, creating a precise replicated spiral pattern. The consistent rotational motion and positioning mechanism ensure uniform opening dimensions and spacing without blade dulling affecting precision
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 effectively forms spiral openings in stents without using a mandrel, reducing contamination risks and improving flexibility, allowing the stent to conform better to the patient's body contours.
Implementation Method 1
The blade is configured to rotate about an outer surface of the tubular member and to cut the tubular member as the drive moves the tubular member from the first location to the second location
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a drive and a blade. The drive is configured to be operatively coupled to a tubular member. The drive is configured to move the tubular member from a first location with respect to the blade to a second location with respect to the blade. The blade is configured to rotate about an outer surface of the tubular member and to cut the tubular member as the drive moves the tubular member from the first location to the second location.