Urethral Implant Delivery System Balloon Dilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for prostate enlargement, such as TUIP, do not effectively address the obstructive effects of enlarged prostate on the bladder neck and prostatic urethra, and may cause irritation or bleeding.

Innovation Solution

A urethral implant delivery system that includes a radial cutter implant with multiple closed-shaped wires, which applies continuous pressure to the tissues of the bladder neck, urethra, and prostate, inducing infarction and creating incisions to relieve obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a scalpel or laser beam is used to make incisions in the bladder neck during TUIP, then the obstructive effect of the prostate on the bladder neck is relieved, but tissue damage, bleeding, and pain occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelief of obstructionVSAvoidtissue damage and bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical scalpel or laser system with a balloon dilatation system. The balloon is inflated within the bladder neck to mechanically dilate the tissues and create incisions through controlled expansion, avoiding the need for sharp mechanical cutting instruments while achieving similar therapeutic effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of the balloon from deflated to inflated state. The balloon is introduced in a compressed deflated state for easy insertion, then inflated with fluid to expand and create the desired incisions and dilation in the bladder neck tissues, transforming the device's physical state to perform its therapeutic function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If continuous pressure is applied to induce infarction and create incisions, then the obstructive effect is relieved, but the procedure duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelief of obstructionVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the balloon catheter system within the bladder neck before the actual dilation and incision creation. The balloon is inserted and positioned in advance, allowing the therapeutic effect to begin immediately upon inflation without requiring prolonged procedure time for tissue engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous useful action through the sustained inflation of the balloon, which maintains constant pressure on the bladder neck tissues throughout the procedure. This continuous expansion continuously creates and maintains incisions and dilation, ensuring uninterrupted therapeutic effect from the moment of inflation until deflation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If wires are used to apply radial pressure on surrounding tissues, then incisions are created through infarction, but the wires may irritate the bladder

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecreation of incisionsVSAvoidbladder irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful element (wires that directly contact and irritate the bladder) from the system. Instead of using wire-based implants that remain in contact with the bladder, the invention uses a balloon catheter system that achieves incision creation through controlled inflation and deflation, eliminating the need for persistent wire contact with the bladder tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable balloon catheter system that is inserted, used for a limited duration to create the necessary incisions, and then removed. This single-use approach eliminates the need for permanent wire implants that would continuously irritate the bladder, using instead a temporary mechanical dilation device that completes its function and is discarded

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system effectively creates incisions in the tissues of the bladder neck, urethra, and prostate, relieving obstruction and improving urine flow without causing significant pain or bleeding.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfarction:

Data Source

PatentEP3773270B1Urethral implant delivery system

Publication Date: 2025.02.12 MEDI TATE LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C

AI summary

A urethral implant delivery system including an overtube, a camera, a urthral implant and a guidewire. The overtube includes a first elongated passage, a second elongated passage and a handle connector. The camera is located at the distal end of the first elongated passage. The urethral implant is located within the second elongated passage. The guidewire is coupled with the urethral implant and extends toward the proximal end of the overtube. The handle connector is configured to be coupled with a handle.