Stent Delivery System Curvature Sheath Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent delivery systems face challenges in accurately placing stents within body cavities without the need for excessive diametrical contraction or additional expansion, and often require X-ray fluoroscope confirmation, which can be invasive and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A stent delivery system comprising an endoscope with a sheath and regulating portion that allows the stent to be placed on the outer surface, featuring a curvature portion for directional control, a window for visual recognition, and a flexible design that enables the stent to be aligned and placed without extensive diametrical adjustments, using an indicator for precise alignment and an outer sheath for protection during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stent is inserted via endoscope without channel, then X-ray fluoroscope confirmation is required, but this increases procedure complexity and patient exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sheath structure that mediates between the endoscope and stent. The sheath with its specific length configuration allows the stent to be positioned on the endoscope tip without requiring X-ray confirmation, eliminating the need for complex intermediary imaging devices while maintaining precise placement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is pre-configured with a specific length that allows the stent to protrude just enough for direct visualization and placement. This preliminary configuration of the delivery system eliminates the need for post-insertion X-ray confirmation, streamlining the entire stent placement procedure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sheath is made longer to allow stent protrusion, then stent placement precision improves, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the sheath length parameter to a specific value that allows the stent to protrude just enough for direct endoscopic visualization. This precise parameter selection achieves stent placement precision without requiring excessive sheath length that would complicate the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is designed with non-uniform properties: a proximal portion for insertion and a distal portion with specific length characteristics that allow stent protrusion. This local differentiation of the sheath structure achieves precise stent placement while maintaining overall device simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the stent outer diameter is reduced for insertion, then insertion ease improves, but stent structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic delivery mechanism where the stent is initially compressed to a smaller diameter for easy insertion through the sheath, then expanded to its full operational diameter at the target location. This dynamic size change allows the stent to maintain structural integrity while facilitating smooth insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent is pre-compressed to a smaller diameter before insertion through the sheath, enabling easy passage through the endoscope channel. Once positioned, the stent is expanded to its full size, ensuring structural integrity is maintained during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A stent delivery system 1 for supplying a stent to a body cavity which includes an endoscope 6 that has an insertion portion 5 with a curvature portion 3 disposed at the distal end thereof, a sheath 7 that is disposed with the insertion portion 5 inserted in the inside thereof and a stent 2 placed on the outer surface of the distal end side thereof; and a regulating portion 8 that regulates the relative movement of the stent 2 to the proximal end side of the sheath 7, with the sheath 7 formed of a length that allows the distal end of the insertion portion 5 that is inserted in the sheath 7 to protrude from the distal end of the sheath 7. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a stent delivery system that can place a stent by endoscope observation without the need of excessive diametrical contraction or additional expansion of the stent.