Variable Hardness Ureteral Stent for Insertion Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ureteral stents face a challenge in balancing insertion ease and patient comfort, as hard stents are easier to position but cause discomfort, while soft stents are difficult to insert but alleviate discomfort post-insertion, and dissolvable stents lose shape and size.
Innovation Solution
A ureteral stent composed of a first material and a second material, where the second material is harder and soluble in bodily fluids, combined to form a homogeneous blend that softens after insertion, maintaining size and shape while reducing patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stent is made hard to facilitate easy insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stent employs dynamic hardness variation where the distal end portion has higher hardness for easy insertion while the proximal end portion has lower hardness for patient comfort. This spatial variation in durometer allows the stent to adapt its mechanical properties to different functional requirements along its length.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the stent are assigned different hardness characteristics: the distal end portion uses harder material for insertion facilitation, while the proximal end portion uses softer material for comfort. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the stent is made soft to alleviate patient discomfort, then patient comfort is improved, but insertion ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stent structure implements local quality differentiation where the proximal end portion uses softer material for comfort and the distal end portion uses harder material for easy insertion. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent exhibits dynamic property variation along its longitudinal axis, with hardness transitioning from softer proximal region to harder distal region. This spatial dynamic configuration allows simultaneous optimization of comfort and insertion ease.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the stent is made dissolvable to increase patient comfort and eliminate removal need, then patient comfort is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates as the stent loses shape and size
Solution Approach 1:
The stent uses local quality differentiation with the proximal end portion made from softer, more comfortable material while the distal end portion maintains structural integrity with harder material. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function without requiring complete dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent employs dynamic hardness variation rather than complete dissolution, where the hardness property changes along the longitudinal axis to provide comfort where needed while maintaining structural integrity where required for shape retention.
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 facilitates easy insertion with high hardness and subsequent softening for comfort, maintaining original dimensions and structure, thus addressing the balance of functionality and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The second material is formulated to be soluble in a bodily fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A ureteral stent includes a first material and a second material. The second material is formulated to have a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the first material. The second material is formulated to be soluble in a bodily fluid. The second material is combined with the first material to form a substantially homogeneous combination of the first material and the second material.