Inventive Problem Solving
Ideation Process
Project Initiation
1. Project objectives
To remove a lodged foreign body in the vasculature from its center
2. Importance of the Situation
If unable to do so, the foreign body would remain the the vessel, resulting in decreased health
Innovation Situation Questionnaire
1. Brief description of the situation
Current methods of foreign body retrieval lack maneuverability and must grasp a foreign body from an end (the En Snare)
2. Detailed description of the situation
There is only one tool commonly used today, the En Snare. It has very limited maneuverability and is only useful for the retrieval of free floating foreign bodies
2.1. Supersystem - System - Subsystems
2.1.1. System name
Intravascular foreign body retrieval system
2.1.2. System structure
Simple hand-held tool
2.1.3. Supersystems and environment
Operating room, patients, vasculature
2.1.4. Systems with similar problems
Plumbing - clogged pipes. Cannot be applied to our problem
2.2. Input - Process - Output
2.2.1. Functioning of the system
Removing foreign bodies from the vasculature, while being minimally invasive. We are inventing a new system for foreign body retrieval
2.2.2. System inputs
Force inputs for opening/closing our device
2.2.3. System outputs
Grasping
2.3. Cause - Problem - Effect
2.3.1. Problem to be resolved
To be able to remove a foreign body which has no available ends for grabbing
2.3.2. Mechanism causing the problem
The foreign body is poorly oriented within the vasculature or is lodged against the vasculature
2.3.3. Undesirable consequences if the problem is not resolved
The failure of removing te foreign body, causing severe health problems
2.3.4. Other problems to be solved
N/A
2.4. Past - Present - Future
2.4.1. History of the problem
Objects, such as thrombii, have existed for awhile but since physicians have been introducing other instruments into the vasculature, there have been new foreign bodies being seen due to the mechanical failure of these new devices while inside a patient (wires, catheter, etc).
2.4.2. Pre-process time
Imaging the vasculature for easier targeting and by using a vasodilator could aid in the retrieval of foreign bodies.
2.4.3. Post-process time
No end process will aid in this system's overall function
3. Resources, constraints and limitations
3.1. Available resources
HUMAN RESOURCES
Cardiologist Michael Barnett
Dr. King
COMPUTER RESOURCES
Blender
Innovation Workbench
DesignSafe
SPACE RESOURCES
Dimensions of blood vessels
Dimensions of heart
Dimensions of body
Operating room
TIME RESOURCES
time before anesthesia takes effect
time during the process
time to arrouse patient
SUBSTANCE RESOURCES
Blood
Tissue
Current tools
FIELD RESOURCES
Mechanical Energy
Torque
Flow of Circulatory System
INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
Material properties
Biological Properties
3.2. Allowable changes to the system
This is an entirely new method, so the basic function of the tool is all that must be retained
3.3. Constraints and limitations
Maximum 8 mm diameter (vessel size)
160-190 cm length
Large enough to remove foreign bodies
3.4. Criteria for selecting solution concepts
Stiff but flexible wire
Hard metal for claws, able to be detected using basic imaging methods
Biocompatability
Orientable
Problem Formulation and Brainstorming
Diagram 1
4/15/20103:18:56 PM.
1. Presence of lodged foreign body produces Vessel Blockage and Increased Cardiac Output.
2. Vessel Blockage produces Death is produced by Presence of lodged foreign body.
3. Death is produced by Vessel Blockage and Increased Cardiac Output.
4. Increased Cardiac Output produces Death is produced by Presence of lodged foreign body.
5. Foreign Body Retrieval System produces En Snare and Claw Retrieval System counteracts Presence of lodged foreign body.
6. En Snare produces Simple produces Limited Maneuverability, Must grasp end-on and Potential Vasculature injury upon object removal is produced by Foreign Body Retrieval System.
7. Limited Maneuverability is produced by En Snare.
8. Claw Retrieval System produces Can grasp from middle, Good maneuverability and Retractable into protective catheter is produced by Foreign Body Retrieval System.
9. Must grasp end-on is produced by En Snare.
10. Simple is produced by En Snare.
11. Can grasp from middle is produced by Claw Retrieval System.
12. Potential Vasculature injury upon object removal is produced by En Snare.
13. Good maneuverability is produced by Claw Retrieval System.
14. Retractable into protective catheter produces Easier removal and Decrease potential damage to vasculature is produced by Claw Retrieval System.
15. Easier removal is produced by Retractable into protective catheter.
16. Decrease potential damage to vasculature is produced by Retractable into protective catheter.
Innovation WorkBench® software. Apr/15/2010, 15:27
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