Stent Insertion Device Trailing-End Expansion Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stent inserting devices face challenges in accurately positioning the trailing end of a self-expandable stent within tubular organs, often resulting in incorrect stent posture and potential physical or mental pain to patients due to interference with vocal cords or membranes, as they expand the stent from the leading end towards the trailing end.

Innovation Solution

A stent inserting device design that first expands the stent at its trailing end and then gradually expands it towards the leading end, utilizing a tubular cap and push member to control the expansion, allowing precise placement and avoiding interference with anatomical structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the stent is expanded from the leading end towards the trailing end using a conventional stent inserting device, then the stent can be pushed out smoothly, but the trailing end position cannot be accurately controlled and may interfere with vocal cords or membranes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent pushing out processVSAvoidtrailing end position control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional expansion sequence by expanding the stent from the trailing end towards the leading end instead of the conventional leading end to trailing end approach. This is achieved by positioning the tubular cap at the trailing end of the stent and pushing it forward, which reverses the expansion direction and allows precise control of the trailing end position to avoid interference with vocal cords or membranes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the stent length is increased to ensure proper coverage, then the treatment effectiveness improves, but the risk of interfering with anatomical structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent coverage effectivenessVSAvoidinterference with vocal cords or membranes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pushing system with a tubular cap and push member system that enables controlled expansion from the trailing end. This mechanical substitution allows for precise positioning and controlled expansion, ensuring proper stent coverage while preventing interference with anatomical structures through controlled deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the stent is expanded quickly to complete the procedure, then the operation time is reduced, but the positioning accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion operation speedVSAvoidtrailing end position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic control mechanism through the tubular cap and push member that allows controlled, gradual expansion of the stent from the trailing end. This dynamic system enables the operator to control the expansion speed and positioning accuracy simultaneously, maintaining both productivity and precision during the insertion procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 accurate and controlled expansion of stents within tubular organs, reducing the risk of incorrect stent placement and associated patient discomfort by ensuring the trailing end is correctly positioned, thereby improving the efficacy of stent insertion procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a self-expandable stent made of a super-elastic shape memory alloy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuper-elastic shape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

The stent is inserted into a stenosal portion of tubular organs of a living body with the volume thereof kept minimized. As the stent is set free and returned back to its original shape, the stenosal portion is expanded outwardly by the stent.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuper-elasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8372132B2Stent inserting device

Publication Date: 2013.02.12 TAEWOONG MEDICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A stent inserting device is used in inserting a self-expandable stent with leading and trailing ends into a tubular organ of a living body. The stent inserting device includes a grip body, an external tube attached to a front end of the grip body, a push member movably inserted into the external tube from a rear end of the grip body, and a tubular cap for removably receiving the stent in a compressed state. The tubular cap has a front end operatively connected to the push member and a rear end slidably fitted to a front end of the external tube. The stent inserting device is designed to hold the stent within the tubular cap in such a manner that the stent is first expanded at the trailing end and then gradually expanded toward the leading end when the tubular cap is pushed away from the external tube.