Gastrointestinal Ablation System with Balloon-Fixed Overtube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gastro-intestinal endoscope systems require manual operation, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially when performing ablation treatments within the gastro-intestinal tract, as they lack effective mechanisms for controlled movement and fixation of the endoscope and ablation tools.
Innovation Solution
A gastro-intestinal tract ablation system featuring an endoscope with an elongated insertion portion, an ablation treatment tool, a tubular overtube with a balloon for fixation, and dual operation members that allow for controlled sliding of the endoscope and ablation tool along the overtube using finger holders, enabling precise and efficient treatment of mucosal tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation of endoscope and overtube is performed, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but operational efficiency and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope insertion portion is nested within the overtube, with both components having integrated operation members. The first operation member is attached to the overtube's outer circumferential surface, while the second operation member is attached to the insertion portion's outer circumferential surface, creating a nested configuration that enables coordinated control without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The operation members act as intermediaries between the operator's fingers and the medical instruments. The first finger holder on the overtube and the second finger holder on the insertion portion provide mechanical leverage and control points, translating finger movements into precise sliding motions of the instruments within the gastro-intestinal tract
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed positioning of overtube is implemented using balloon, then stability improves, but ease of insertion and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon on the overtube provides dynamic fixation capability. The balloon can be inflated to secure the overtube to the gastro-intestinal tract wall when stable positioning is needed, and deflated to allow easy removal or repositioning of the overtube, thus providing both stability during treatment and ease of insertion/adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the fixation function (balloon on overtube) from the insertion function (slidable operation members). This segmentation allows the balloon to provide stable fixation independently while the operation members enable easy insertion and adjustment of both the overtube and endoscope insertion portion
3Measurement precision
If dual operation members with finger holders are provided, then control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first operation member on the overtube and the second operation member on the insertion portion are merged into a coordinated system. Both operation members can be held by the operator's hand simultaneously, with finger holders positioned to allow precise control of both instruments through natural finger placement, reducing the perceived complexity through ergonomic integration
Solution Approach 2:
The operation members serve multiple functions: they provide control precision through finger holders, enable coordinated sliding of both instruments, and can be attached or detached independently. The first operation member can control the overtube while the second controls the insertion portion, allowing versatile manipulation for different treatment scenarios
4Manufacturing precision
If integrated movement of insertion portion and ablation tool is enabled, then treatment uniformity improves, but operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control options: the operation members can be used together to move the insertion portion and ablation tool integrally for uniform treatment, or they can be used independently to adjust each component separately when operational flexibility is needed. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between integrated movement and flexibility
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
Enables efficient and uniform treatment of a wide range of mucosal tissue by allowing the endoscope and ablation tool to be slid in a controlled manner within the gastro-intestinal tract, improving operational ease and precision while maintaining constant low-speed movement.
Implementation Method 1
The overtube has a balloon that is configured to fix the overtube to the gastro-intestinal tract
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation system includes: an endoscope; an ablation treatment tool; an overtube; a first operation member that is provided at a base end portion of the overtube; and a second operation member that is attachable to and detachable from an intermediate position in a longitudinal direction of an insertion portion of the endoscope. The overtube has a balloon that is configured to fix the overtube to the gastro-intestinal tract; the insertion portion and the ablation treatment tool can be integrally moved in the overtube in the longitudinal direction; and the first and second operation members each have a finger holder that holds at least one finger of one hand. The first operation member is distinct from the overtube, and is attachable to and detachable from an outer circumferential surface of the overtube, at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction of the overtube.