Urological Sheath Filter for Particulate Matter Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current urological procedures face issues with particulate matter from irrigants used during percutaneous procedures causing blockages in the urinary tract, and there is a lack of devices to collect and retain this matter for further analysis.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a flexible, kink-resistant access sheath with a filter assembly and tube to collect and retain particulate matter, allowing irrigant to flow through a filter that captures particles and directs them to a container for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a balloon is used to occlude the urinary tract downstream of the kidney, then particulate matter blockage in the urinary tract is prevented, but renal pressure increases causing post-operative complications
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (particulate matter) is extracted from the irrigant flow by introducing a filter assembly that captures particles before they can travel downstream and cause blockages, eliminating the need for balloon occlusion and its associated renal pressure increase
Solution Approach 2:
A filter assembly is introduced as an intermediary device between the kidney and the downstream urinary tract. This filter captures particulate matter in the irrigant, preventing it from reaching the ureter and causing blockages, while allowing continuous irrigant flow without requiring balloon occlusion
2Productivity
If access sheaths are used to perform urological procedures, then free flow and drainage of irrigant is enabled, but particulate matter is lost when irrigant exits the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the irrigant and entrained particulate matter when it exits the access sheath, the invention recovers the particulate matter by directing the irrigant flow through a filter assembly that captures particles, allowing the irrigant to drain freely while retaining the valuable particulate material for analysis
3Device complexity
If no collection device is used for irrigant exiting the access sheath, then the system remains simple, but particulate matter cannot be collected for analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly serves multiple functions: it filters particulate matter from the irrigant, collects particles for analysis, and maintains continuous irrigant drainage. This multi-functional device adds minimal complexity while enabling particulate matter recovery and analysis
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
Effectively prevents particulate matter from causing blockages and allows for the collection and analysis of the matter, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and reducing post-operative complications.
Implementation Method 1
A filter is positioned downstream of the second end of the access sheath to receive flow from the second end of the access sheath
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An apparatus and method used in a urological procedure. The apparatus includes a sheath capable of insertion into a passageway within a patient. A filter is provided that includes a mesh that retains any particulate matter that is entrained with the liquid and allows the liquid to pass therethrough. The filter may be removeably attached to receive flow from an outlet of the sheath.