Steerable Catheter Aspiration and Irrigation for Kidney Stones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing kidney stones, such as nephrolithotomy and ureteroscopy, are invasive, time-consuming, and inefficient, requiring multiple insertions and removals of devices, causing patient discomfort and risk of infection, and are difficult to maneuver effectively.
Innovation Solution
A steerable catheter with integrated suction and irrigation ports is used to align and aspirate kidney stones without removing the catheter, allowing for minimally invasive stone removal through controlled curvature adjustments and irrigation techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ureteroscopy with basket removal device is used, then kidney stones can be removed, but the procedure becomes extremely time consuming and inefficient due to repeated insertion and removal of scope and basket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the visualization function (ureteroscope), stone capture function (basket), and removal function into a single integrated device. The basket is positioned distal to the scope and both are introduced together through the urethra and bladder, eliminating the need for separate insertion and removal operations. This merging of functions directly addresses the inefficiency of repeated device manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: visualization (through the scope), stone capture (through the basket), and stone removal (by pulling the entire assembly). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for each operation, directly improving productivity and reducing procedure time.
2Productivity
If traditional ureteroscopy with basket removal device is used, then kidney stones can be removed, but the surgeon experiences hand fatigue due to extended operation time and the patient requires extended anesthesia
Solution Approach 1:
By combining visualization and stone capture into a single integrated device, the patent eliminates repeated insertion and removal operations. This reduces the overall operation duration, thereby decreasing surgeon hand fatigue and reducing the time the patient must remain under anesthesia.
3Productivity
If traditional ureteroscopy with basket removal device is used, then kidney stones can be removed, but the basket causes irritation to the urinary tract due to repeated insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the basket and scope into a single device that is introduced once and remains in place during the procedure. This eliminates repeated insertion and removal of the basket, directly reducing irritation to the urinary tract while maintaining effective stone retrieval capability.
4Productivity
If percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used, then large kidney stones can be removed, but the procedure requires significant anesthesia, poses higher infection risk, and leaves a scar
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device provides multi-functionality including visualization, stone capture, and removal through a single minimally invasive access route. This allows effective stone removal while avoiding the significant trauma, infection risk, and scarring associated with percutaneous approaches that require large incisions and general anesthesia.
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 method enables efficient, minimally invasive kidney stone removal with reduced procedure time, patient discomfort, and risk of infection by aligning stones with the aspiration port and using suction and irrigation to extract stones without repeated device insertion.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum tube in communication with a suction source for providing suction to the aspiration port
Implementation Method 2
an irrigation port for providing irrigation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for the removal of objects from the body. The device may be a urethral catheter configured to aspirate kidney stones from the urinary tract through one or more aspiration ports at the distal face or along a lateral side of the catheter. The catheter may include one or more irrigation ports at the distal face or along the lateral side of the catheter for dislodging kidney stones. The device may be steerable. The spatial arrangement of the one or more irrigation ports with respect to the one or more aspiration ports may vary. The device may include an irrigation tube and/or a shield member configured to spatially confine the kidney stones adjacent the catheter. Various temporal patterns of aspiration and irrigation are disclosed for optimizing removal of kidney stones.