Universal Catheter Sheath for Ureteroscopy and PCNL
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic procedures for removing kidney stones require multiple retrieval devices due to differing lengths for ureteroscopy and PCNL procedures, leading to increased costs, complexity, and difficulty in procedure transitions.
Innovation Solution
A versatile endoscopic sheath that reduces the linear dimension of retrieval devices, allowing a single device to be used for both procedures, with a steerable feature to navigate tortuous anatomy and a handle for single-user control, reducing the need for multiple catheter designs and improving procedural ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple retrieval devices are used for different procedures, then procedure-specific functionality is improved, but device complexity and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly is designed with a universal sheath that can accommodate different catheter types (ureteroscopy and PCNL) through a single device interface. The sheath's bore is configured to receive various catheter configurations, allowing one retrieval device to perform multiple procedural functions, thereby reducing inventory requirements and device complexity while maintaining procedure-specific capabilities
2Reliability
If multiple catheter designs are maintained, then procedure optimization is improved, but inventory costs and procedural transitions become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic configuration where the sheath remains a constant universal component while the catheter inserted within it can be changed to match procedural requirements. This dynamic approach allows rapid transition between procedure types by simply changing the inner catheter rather than replacing the entire assembly, reducing transition time while maintaining optimized performance for each procedure type
3Device complexity
If a single versatile device is used, then inventory costs are reduced, but device functionality must be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly utilizes a nested configuration where the catheter is inserted within the sheath's bore. This nesting arrangement allows the universal sheath to house different catheter types, enabling a single outer device structure to support multiple inner components with specialized functionalities, thus reducing inventory costs while preserving full procedural adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A sheath for guiding and controlling a length of a catheter, the sheath comprising a body defining a longitudinal axis. The body can include a proximal portion and a distal portion, a bore extending along the longitudinal axis between and through the proximal portion and the distal portion, and a looped portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion.