Retrieving Device With Spiral Strand Trap Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for retrieving foreign bodies from tubular organs, such as stones from the ureter or bile duct, require complex manipulation and often necessitate the use of both hands, leading to discomfort and increased risk of irreversible consequences due to the need for locking and unlocking mechanisms, which complicates surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a conduit with axially extending metallic strands, where a less rigid spiral strand is wound around a relatively rigid axial strand, allowing for independent manipulation and expansion to form a trawl shape for catching and retrieving bodies, with actuators enabling easy control and reduced complexity in device management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex manipulators with locking and unlocking mechanisms are used to control basket or hinge-type traps, then the device can achieve precise manipulation, but the ease of operation deteriorates and requires both hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trap mechanism from the complex manipulator system. The trap is made independent by forming it from a single wire that can be directly manipulated through the catheter without requiring external manipulators, locking mechanisms, or multiple hands for control.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap is designed to be self-manipulable through the catheter using simple wire movements. The wire trap can be deployed, positioned, and controlled independently without requiring external manipulator systems, making the device self-sufficient and easier to operate.
2Reliability
If locking and unlocking mechanisms are incorporated into the manipulator, then the trap can be securely controlled, but the duration of action increases due to additional manipulation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes locking and unlocking mechanisms from the system entirely. The wire trap is controlled through direct manipulation via the catheter, eliminating the need for additional manipulation steps associated with locking and unlocking mechanisms while maintaining secure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire trap enables continuous manipulation without interruption for locking or unlocking operations. The simple wire structure allows for seamless deployment, positioning, and control throughout the procedure, reducing the overall duration of action.
3Ease of operation
If both hands are required for device manipulation, then precise control can be achieved, but the productivity decreases due to increased procedural time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trap control from complex manipulator systems that require two hands. The wire trap is designed to be manipulated through the catheter using simple, intuitive movements that can be performed with one hand, improving productivity without sacrificing control precision.
4Reliability
If complex manipulator systems are used, then the trap can be securely positioned, but the device complexity increases requiring special training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex manipulator systems and positioning mechanisms. The wire trap is positioned through direct manipulation via the catheter using simple wire movements, maintaining positioning accuracy while eliminating the need for special training associated with complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments relate to a device for retrieving a body from within a tubular structure, the device having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising: a device body at the proximal end; a conduit extending away from the device body to the distal end and sized to be receivable in the tubular structure; at least one actuator operably associated with the device body; a first strand extending at least in part through the conduit; a second strand extending at least in part through the conduit; wherein the first and second strands are affixed at the distal end of the device, and wherein the second strand is wound around the first strand along at least a distal length of the first strand; wherein the at least one actuator is operable to cause the second strand to adopt an expanded state in which the second strand defines a trawl volume to catch the body for retrieval of the body from the tubular structure.