Ureteral Stent Tray Packaging to Prevent Tether Entanglement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging of ureteral stents often results in twisting, kinking, entanglement, and loss of sterility due to the tether wrapping around the stent or other components, making it difficult to prepare the stent for procedural use.

Innovation Solution

A packaging system with a tray base featuring extensions, posts, and projections that securely hold the stent and its components, including a tether, to prevent entanglement and deformation, while allowing easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ureteral stents are packaged in a pouch with other components, then all components can be stored together, but the stent may twist, kink, or become entangled with the tether and other components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent storage capabilityVSAvoidstent configuration integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system divides the packaging space into separate compartments using partitions. Each compartment is designed to hold specific components (stent, tether, positioner, etc.) separately, preventing entanglement while maintaining organized storage of all components within a single packaging unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tether is packaged with the stent, then complete assembly is provided, but the tether may wrap around the stent or other components causing damage or loss of sterility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly completenessVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tether is packaged in a separate compartment from the stent, preventing wrapping and contamination. The compartment design includes features to secure the tether in a fixed position, ensuring it remains sterile and undamaged while still being part of the complete assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging system uses barrier films or sterile drapes as intermediaries between the tether and other components. These intermediaries prevent direct contact that could cause wrapping or contamination, while still allowing the tether to be accessed during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If components are packaged together in a pouch, then storage is simplified, but preparation for procedural use becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging structureVSAvoidpreparation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging uses separate compartments for each component, allowing users to easily access and prepare individual components in the correct sequence. Each compartment is designed to open or access independently, simplifying the preparation process while maintaining a relatively simple overall packaging structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4309721B1Packaging system for ureteral stent

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

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AI summary

A packaging system for use with a ureteral stent having an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion may include a tray base. The tray base may include at least one first post, a second post, and a projection or a groove configured to respectively secure the distal end portion, the proximal end portion, and a tether of the ureteral stent on the tray base.