Ureteral Access Sheath with Deformable Head and Adjustable Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ureteral access sheaths are inflexible, making it difficult to access lesion areas, have complex installation structures, and lack adjustable negative pressure suction functionality, complicating surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The ureteral access sheath features a deformable head segment, snap-fit connection for the dilator, adjustable negative pressure suction via a sliding cover, and a tapered sealing ring with ribs to reduce friction and improve insertion ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spiral steel wires are embedded in the sheath walls to improve service life and lumen support, then the sheath gains high elasticity and hardness, but the end of the sheath becomes too hard to bend and cannot approach lesion areas at close range
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into three segments along its length: a hard tube segment (11) for structural support, a deformable tube segment (12) for bending flexibility, and a head segment (13) for close access to lesion areas. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the sheath have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The hard tube segment uses rigid material for strength, while the deformable tube segment and head segment use softer, more flexible materials to enable bending and close access to lesion areas.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sheath end is made hard to maintain shape, then the sheath cannot be bent in short distance, but this prevents close access to lesion areas and increases operation difficulty and time
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into three segments along its length: a hard tube segment (11) for structural support, a deformable tube segment (12) for bending flexibility, and a head segment (13) for close access to lesion areas. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath transitions from a static, uniformly rigid structure to a dynamic, multi-segmented structure where different portions have different degrees of rigidity. The deformable tube segment and head segment can dynamically adapt their shape to reach lesion areas while the hard tube segment maintains overall structural integrity.
3Reliability
If a sealing valve is used to seal and match the endoscope with the introducer sheath, then negative pressure suction function is achieved, but the sealing valve interferes with dilator installation position and complicates the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from a separate sealing valve component and integrated directly into the introducer sheath structure. The tapered sealing ring (22) is built into the sheath base (2), eliminating the need for a separate sealing valve that would interfere with dilator installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the introducer sheath structure itself. The tapered sealing ring (22) is integrated into the sheath base (2), combining the sheath and sealing functions into a single unified structure, thereby simplifying the overall device and installation procedure.
4Reliability
If the existing ureteral access sheath installation structure is used, then the structure is complete, but the structure is complex and the negative pressure suction function cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed negative pressure suction structure is transformed into an adjustable one. The sliding cover (26) can move along the introducer sheath to change the opening area of the vent groove (25), allowing dynamic adjustment of negative pressure suction function during surgical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The negative pressure suction parameter is made variable through the sliding cover mechanism. By changing the opening area of the vent groove (25) through sliding the cover (26), the negative pressure level can be adjusted to match different surgical requirements, enhancing adaptability.
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 improved sheath allows for easier access to lesion areas, simplifies installation, and provides adjustable suction pressure, reducing surgical difficulty and time.
Implementation Method 1
at least two elastic hangers symmetrically arranged on the base body, and the base body is connected with the distal end of the catheter, and the elastic hangers extend outward relative to the base body, and the elastic hangers can be in snap connection with the snap-fit element
Implementation Method 2
an upper sealing cover of the vent groove is provided with a sliding cover, and the sliding cover can slide relative to the vent groove, and by sliding the sliding cover, the opening area of the vent groove can be adjusted
Implementation Method 3
a tapered sealing ring, arranged at the tube segment of the sheath base, the tapered sealing ring forming an inlet for passage of the catheter to seal therethrough, ribs formed on an inner wall of the tapered sealing ring
Data Source
AI summary
An improved ureteral sheath, includes: an introducer sheath including a sheath tube and a sheath base arranged at a proximal end of the sheath tube, the sheath base is provided with a tube segment in communication with the sheath tube and a connecting part arranged at a distal end of the tube segment; the sheath tube is provided, from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, with a main body segment and a head segment arranged at a distal end of the main body segment, the main body segment is composed of a hard tube segment, and the head segment is composed of a deformable tube segment; and the tube segment extends outwards relative to a central axis thereof in a communication manner to form a negative pressure connecting tube, a tube wall of the negative pressure connecting tube is provided with vent groove.