Stabilization Wires for Lung Nodule Access Sheath

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Accessing and repeatedly targeting nodules or lesions in the lung, especially in peripheral regions, is challenging due to the small airway diameters, which hinders visual navigation and requires a device that can safely and consistently access the site for diagnosis and treatment.

Innovation Solution

A device with a sheath portion and stabilization wires, where the stabilization wires are longer than the secondary lumens and can be controlled for independent deployment, allowing for secure anchoring and access within the lung's airways, utilizing shape memory materials for deflection and expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If visual navigation is used to access lung nodules, then navigation precision can be maintained in larger airways, but access becomes impossible in peripheral regions with small airway diameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidaccess to peripheral regions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual navigation systems with a stabilization wire mechanism that provides mechanical stability and positioning. The stabilization wires extend through the sheath and can be deployed to anchor the device in place, eliminating the need for visual navigation in small airways while maintaining precise positioning capability through mechanical stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization wires act as an intermediary between the sheath and the lung tissue. By deploying these wires to anchor the sheath in place, the system creates a stable mechanical connection that enables access to peripheral nodules without requiring visual navigation capabilities in the small airways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If repeated access procedures are performed on the same nodule, then diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness improve, but procedure time and patient exposure to risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization wires are deployed during the initial access procedure to anchor the sheath in place. This preliminary stabilization action enables subsequent repeated procedures (biopsies, treatments) to be performed quickly through the same stabilized access point, reducing the time required for each additional procedure while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath with stabilization wires serves as a universal access platform that can accommodate multiple different instruments and procedures. Once the sheath is stabilized with the wires, it can be used for repeated biopsies, treatments, and diagnostic procedures without requiring re-navigation, thereby reducing cumulative procedure time while maintaining diagnostic precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If stabilization wires are made longer than secondary lumens to enable secure anchoring, then device stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidwire length configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the sheath with its lumens and the separate stabilization wires. The wires are configured to extend beyond the secondary lumens, creating a segmented structure where the excess wire length provides the stabilization function while the lumens provide the access function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables safe, quick, and consistent access to lung nodules or lesions, facilitating repeated procedures and improving navigation in small airway diameters by providing stable anchoring and access for both diagnosis and treatment.

Implementation Method 1

One or more of the stabilization wires includes a shape memory material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory material: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS20240325047A1Pulmonary nodule access devices and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 GYRUS ACMI INC

AI summary

A device for providing access to a nodule, lesion, or pathological area in a lung or other body organ or lumen. The device includes a sheath portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a plurality of stabilization wires. The sheath portion includes a primary lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of secondary lumens that extend from the proximal end to the distal end. The stabilization wires are configured to be slidably received within the secondary lumens. The length of the stabilization wires is greater than the length of the secondary lumens.