Urethral Stent Mechanical Valve System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for urinary incontinence are invasive and unsuitable for patients with contraindications to general anesthesia or anticoagulant therapy, necessitating a minimally invasive and effective treatment option.
Innovation Solution
A urethral stent device with a mechanical valve system that includes a pivoting valve assembly, biasing member, and stopper mechanism, which opens in response to intraluminal pressure to allow urine flow, enabling continence and voiding while self-expanding to secure against the urethral wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical methods are used to treat urinary incontinence, then effective treatment can be achieved, but the procedure becomes invasive and unsuitable for patients with contraindications to general anesthesia or anticoagulant therapy
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism automatically opens and closes based on intraluminal pressure without requiring external control or surgical intervention. The biasing member provides automatic resetting action, allowing the device to self-regulate urine flow based on physiological conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex surgical mechanical systems (slings, meshes, reconstructive procedures) with a simple passive mechanical valve device that uses elastic biasing forces and pressure differentials to control urine flow, eliminating the need for general anesthesia and anticoagulant therapy
2Reliability
If a passive valve system is used that opens at a threshold pressure, then continence is maintained through pressure resistance, but the device must reliably distinguish between normal physiological pressure variations and voiding pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is calibrated to provide a specific threshold pressure that distinguishes between normal physiological pressure (maintaining continence) and voiding pressure (allowing urination). The elastic properties of the biasing member create a pressure threshold that reliably differentiates between these states
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism extracts only the essential function needed for continence control - a simple pressure-activated opening and closing action - eliminating complex control systems, sensors, or power sources while maintaining reliable discrimination between continence and voiding states
3Ease of operation
If the stent device is delivered via a flexible delivery tool through the urethra, then minimally invasive placement is achieved, but the device must navigate the urethral passage without causing trauma or obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The stent device transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state, allowing it to navigate the urethra in a compact form and then expand to provide structural support and continence control. The self-expanding mechanism ensures proper positioning without requiring additional surgical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible delivery tool acts as an intermediary that guides the stent device through the urethra in a protected, compressed state, preventing trauma during insertion. The delivery tool is removed after deployment, leaving only the stent device in place
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 stent device provides a minimally invasive solution for urinary incontinence by maintaining continence through pressure resistance and allowing urine flow at a threshold pressure, suitable for patients ineligible for conventional surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot portion can include a biasing member, such as a spring device, adapted to bias the flange toward a first closed portion
Implementation Method 2
self-expanding to secure against the urethral wall
Data Source
AI summary
A urethral stent device comprising a mechanical valve system is provided. The urethral stent device can be delivered up through the urethra via a flexible delivery tool. The valve mechanism is adapted to open when exposed to a certain amount of intraluminal pressure and can remain open until a desired cessation of fluid flow is achieved.