Thermosensitive Bio-adhesive Hydrogel for Ureteral Stone Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating nephrolithiasis, such as flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy, fail to effectively remove small stone fragments and often result in thermal damage to the urothelium due to temperature spikes during the procedure, with no effective mechanism to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
Administration of a thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel comprising chitosan or tri-block copolymers before lithotripsy to protect the urothelium from thermal damage and encapsulate renal stones, allowing for enhanced stone clearance and prevention of regrowth by maintaining a temperature below 36°C and encapsulating fragments within the hydrogel for easier removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser lithotripsy is used to fragment renal calculi, then stone fragmentation is achieved, but temperature spikes occur causing thermal damage to the urothelium
Solution Approach 1:
A thermosensitive hydrogel is introduced as an intermediary substance between the laser energy and the urothelium. The hydrogel absorbs and dissipates thermal energy, preventing direct thermal damage to the urothelium while allowing laser fragmentation of stones. The gel acts as a thermal buffer that mediates the interaction between laser energy and tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermosensitive hydrogel undergoes phase transition from liquid to gel state in response to temperature changes. This phase transition enables the gel to solidify around stone fragments at elevated temperatures, providing mechanical protection and thermal insulation to the urothelium during and after laser lithotripsy.
2Productivity
If high-powered lasers are used for lithotripsy, then stone fragmentation efficiency is improved, but the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermosensitive hydrogel serves as a protective intermediary that allows high-powered lasers to be used for efficient stone fragmentation while simultaneously protecting surrounding tissues from thermal damage. The gel absorbs excess thermal energy and dissipates it safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel is administered before laser lithotripsy to establish a protective barrier around the stone and surrounding tissues. This beforehand cushioning prepares the tissue environment to withstand the thermal effects of high-powered lasers during the procedure.
3Productivity
If stone baskets are used to remove fragments, then larger fragments can be extracted, but fragments smaller than 2 mm are not effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The thermosensitive hydrogel acts as an intermediary carrier that envelops and transports stone fragments of all sizes, including those too small to be captured by stone baskets. The gel's粘附 properties enable it to bind and retrieve even sub-2mm fragments effectively.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ureteral access sheath is used to promote cooling irrigation, then thermal damage is mitigated, but the cost of the procedure increases and ureter splitting occurs in 20% of cases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermosensitive hydrogel serves as a direct protective intermediary applied to the urothelium, eliminating the need for ureteral access sheath. The gel provides thermal protection at the tissue level, avoiding the complications and costs associated with sheath insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the thermal protection function from the ureteral access sheath system and transfers it directly to the urothelium via the thermosensitive hydrogel. This removes the unnecessary complexity and risks of sheath insertion while maintaining thermal protection.
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 hydrogel achieves a stone clearance rate of at least 90% while protecting the urothelium from thermal damage and preventing renal backflow, reducing the risk of urosepsis and stone regrowth by effectively encapsulating and removing stone fragments and dust.
Implementation Method 1
thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel... thermo-reversible hydrogel comprises chitosan or at least one tri block copolymer
Implementation Method 2
protecting the patient from potential harm from excessive temperatures... protects the subject from urothelium thermal damage... maintaining a temperature below 36°C
Implementation Method 3
thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel... administration of the thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel protects the subject from urothelium thermal damage
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods for treating nephrolithiasis and protecting the urothelium and inner lining of the kidney from thermal damage during lithotripsy by use of a thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel. The described method dramatically improved the efficiency and effectiveness of stone clearance compared to conventional techniques while providing protection to the urothelium from potentially damaging temperature spikes.