Ureteral Stent Anti-Migration Projections and Segmented Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ureteral stents face challenges such as migration due to patient movement, tissue irritation from static or dynamic contact, and urine reflux and pain during voiding, which affect their comfort and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a tubular body with anti-migration features, including projections and a mesh structure, to secure the stent within the ureter, reduce friction, and maintain an open-flow condition, while also considering materials and coatings to enhance comfort and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the stent is made semi-rigid and anchored to prevent migration, then stent stability is improved, but tissue irritation increases due to inability to adjust for natural ureteral stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The stent incorporates a flexible distal section that can dynamically adapt to ureteral stretching and contraction movements. This flexible section allows the stent to move with the ureter during respiratory and bodily movements, preventing tissue irritation while maintaining overall stent stability through the rigid proximal section and anchoring features.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the stent is designed with anchoring features to prevent migration during bodily movements, then stent positioning is improved, but urine reflux and pain during voiding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into distinct functional sections: a rigid proximal section with anchoring features for stability, a flexible intermediate section to accommodate movement, and a flexible distal section that can collapse during voiding. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function without causing harm to other sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent utilizes changes in the distal section's geometric parameters (collapse and expansion) in response to bladder pressure changes during voiding. This parameter change allows the stent to maintain positioning while accommodating the physiological changes during urine flow, preventing reflux and pain.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stent ends are coiled in a pigtail shape to prevent migration, then stent anchoring is improved, but tissue irritation from static or dynamic contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent features localized coiled pigtail structures at the distal end rather than along the entire length. This local quality change provides anchoring only where needed in the kidney while keeping the proximal section smooth and comfortable against the bladder tissue, reducing overall tissue irritation.
Data Source
AI summary
A ureteral stent including a tubular body and a first anti-migration feature including one or more projections extending outward from the tubular body. The first anti-migration feature may be configured to be placed entirely within a patient's ureter. The first anti-migration feature may be provided entirely at a proximal bladder section of the tubular body and be configured to not enter the patient's bladder.