Abdominal Compression Wrap for Endoscope Advancement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopy procedures face challenges in advancing endoscopes due to intestinal looping, which causes patient discomfort, longer examination times, and musculoskeletal injuries for healthcare providers, as manual pressure application is time-consuming and varies with technician strength and technique.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a primary abdominal wrap with adjustable secondary straps to apply both broad and location-specific pressure, reducing the need for manual pressure and enhancing endoscope advancement and visualization during procedures like colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and enteroscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pressure is applied by a technician to support the patient's colon, then the endoscope can be advanced, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and varies depending on technician strength and technique
Solution Approach 1:
The abdominal compression device is designed to be self-adjusting through the patient's own body weight. The elastic material and strap configuration allow the device to automatically apply and maintain compression force without requiring continuous manual intervention or adjustment by the technician, making the system self-regulating based on patient physiology
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the parameter of compression force application from variable manual pressure to consistent mechanical compression. The elastic material properties and strap positioning convert the patient's body weight into a controlled compression force that remains relatively constant throughout the procedure, eliminating variability based on technician strength
2Ease of operation
If manual pressure is applied to support the patient's colon, then the endoscope can be advanced, but it places a physical toll on the technician
Solution Approach 1:
The abdominal compression device serves as an intermediary between the technician and the patient's colon. Instead of the technician directly applying manual pressure, the device mediates the force application through its elastic material and strap system, transferring the compression task from the technician to the device itself
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the patient's own body weight as the power source for compression. The elastic material and strap configuration allow the system to self-generate the necessary compression force through the patient's weight, eliminating the need for the technician to exert physical effort
3Ease of operation
If differential pressure is applied by rolling the patient to change position, then the colon can be supported, but it is a difficult task with sedated patients
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is segmented into multiple components: a primary elastic abdominal wrap and separate adjustable straps. This segmentation allows the system to provide differential pressure in specific regions (sigmoid colon area) independently, eliminating the need to reposition the entire patient body to achieve the same effect
4Reliability
If manual pressure is applied to prevent intestinal looping, then the endoscope can advance, but it requires continuous technician intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic abdominal wrap provides continuous compression force throughout the procedure without interruption. The material's elasticity ensures constant pressure application as the patient moves or the procedure progresses, eliminating the need for intermittent manual adjustments or repositioning events
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains automatic compression through the patient's body weight and the elastic material properties. The system self-regulates the compression force based on patient physiology, providing continuous reliable pressure without requiring active technician intervention to maintain looping prevention
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 solution improves patient safety and comfort by reducing intestinal looping, decreases musculoskeletal injuries for healthcare providers, and facilitates more efficient endoscope advancement and visualization.
Implementation Method 1
a primary wrap comprising a band of elastic material to an abdomen of a patient and maintaining tension in the band in order to apply constant pressure and the support to the patient's abdomen through a contraction of the primary wrap
Data Source
AI summary
A method of applying pressure and support to a patient's abdomen during an endoscopy procedure including applying a primary wrap comprising a band of elastic material to an abdomen of a patient and maintaining tension in the band in order to apply constant pressure and the support to the patient's abdomen through a contraction of the primary wrap in connection with an advancement or a withdrawal of an endoscope during an enteroscopy procedure. The method includes adjusting at least one of the primary wrap or at least one secondary strap extending from the primary wrap to adjust compression and support the advancement or the withdrawal of the endoscope through the contraction of the primary wrap and the at least one secondary strap.