Strand-Tip Fluid Delivery Assembly for Viscous GI Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices struggle to efficiently deliver and spread viscous fluids to target sites within the gastrointestinal tract, such as those used for treating bleeding ulcers or reinforcing sutures, due to difficulty in application and potential tissue injury.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a sheath and distally extending strands or bristles, allowing for the delivery and distribution of fluids via a flexible and maneuverable mechanism, minimizing tissue harm and improving application efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional devices are used to deliver viscous fluids, then the device structure is simple, but the fluid delivery efficiency is poor and tissue injury may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid delivery efficiencyVSAvoidtissue injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the fluid delivery function by adding multiple strands extending from the sheath, allowing the fluid to be delivered and distributed through multiple contact points simultaneously, improving delivery efficiency while reducing pressure on any single tissue area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The strands are made with different material properties than the sheath (different durometer), creating local variations in flexibility and compliance that allow better adaptation to tissue contours, improving fluid distribution while minimizing tissue trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a rigid delivery mechanism is used, then structural support is adequate, but maneuverability and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidstructural support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where strands can move and flex independently relative to the sheath, allowing the distal end to adapt to varying anatomical configurations while maintaining overall structural integrity through the sheath

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The strands are constructed from flexible materials with lower durometer values, creating a compliant distal end that can navigate tortuous pathways and conform to tissue surfaces while the stiffer sheath provides necessary structural support and fluid containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If strands with higher durometer are used, then structural strength is improved, but tissue compliance and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrand strengthVSAvoidtissue compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a gradient of material stiffness, with the sheath having higher durometer for structural support and the strands having lower durometer for tissue compliance, creating optimal local properties at each contact point with the body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250339643A1Medical devices and assemblies for delivering fluid and related methods of manufacture

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical device may include a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The medical device may include a plurality of strands fixed to and extending distally from the distal end of the sheath. Each strand of the plurality of strands may include a proximal fixed end and a distal free end. The plurality of strands may surround a distal opening of the sheath.