Steerable Implant Retrieval for the Prostatic Urethra
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of accurately and consistently delivering an implant into the prostatic urethra in a minimally-invasive manner is complicated by the tortuous anatomy and patient-to-patient variability, making existing systems inadequate for precise placement.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising an elongate delivery device with a proximal control device, featuring steerable and flexible components, imaging capabilities, and a self-expanding implant design, allowing for precise deployment and retrieval of implants within the prostatic urethra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing delivery systems are used, then implant delivery can be performed, but accurate and consistent placement into the prostatic urethra cannot be achieved due to tortuous anatomy and patient variability
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device incorporates a steerable distal end with articulation capabilities that allow dynamic adjustment of the device trajectory to match the tortuous anatomy of the urethra. The distal end can be actively controlled to navigate bends and curves, enabling accurate implant placement despite anatomical variations between patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in flexibility and rigidity parameters along its length, with the distal end being more flexible for navigation and the proximal control device being more rigid for precise manipulation. The system can adjust its mechanical parameters to adapt to different anatomical configurations while maintaining placement precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the delivery device is made flexible to navigate tortuous anatomy, then anatomical adaptability improves, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is divided into distinct segments with different functional properties: a flexible distal end for navigation, a中间的 transition zone, and a rigid proximal control device for manipulation. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates intermediate structural elements that transition between the flexible distal end and the rigid proximal control device. These intermediary components mediate the mechanical properties between segments, allowing the flexible portion to navigate anatomy while the rigid portion remains controllable, without requiring the entire device to be complex.
3Ease of operation
If the delivery device is made rigid for precise control, then ease of operation improves, but the device cannot navigate tortuous bends of the urethra
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the delivery device have different mechanical qualities: the distal end is locally optimized for flexibility and navigation, while the proximal control device is locally optimized for rigidity and control precision. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function effectively without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that allow the operator to actively adjust the trajectory and articulation of the distal end during insertion. This dynamic capability enables a relatively simple rigid control device to achieve precise navigation through tortuous anatomy by actively controlling the flexible distal portion.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for retrieval of an implant from the prostatic urethra. Embodiments of retrieval systems can include a device for insertion into the patient and a proximal control device for use in grasping a portion of the implant and withdrawing the implant into a lumen of the retrieval system.