Anorectal Junction Device Sealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscopy procedures for colonoscopy lack a device to effectively guide, stabilize, and seal the anorectal junction, leading to suboptimal colon distension, increased air or CO2 delivery, and potential leakage of liquids or gases.

Innovation Solution

An anorectal junction device featuring a guide tube with a rectal bumper for sealing engagement with rectal tissue and a skin bumper for sealing engagement with the intergluteal cleft, along with a locking mechanism and scope abutment apparatus to securely position and stabilize the endoscope.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water is instilled into the colon for distension, then the colon is flooded and distended with water, but the water may leak out of the anorectal junction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater volume in colonVSAvoidseal integrity at anorectal junction

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the sealing function into two separate components: a rectal bumper that seals against rectal tissue internally and a skin bumper that seals against the intergluteal cleft externally. This segmentation allows each component to address a specific sealing challenge, ensuring comprehensive containment of water in the colon while preventing leakage at the anorectal junction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If air or CO2 is used to distend the colon, then the colon is distended for visualization, but too much air can be harmful and requires retention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolon distensionVSAvoidair or CO2 amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device acts as an intermediary sealing mechanism between the colon and the external environment. By creating a secure seal at the anorectal junction with the rectal and skin bumpers, the device prevents loss of insufflated air or CO2, thereby maintaining colon distension without requiring excessive amounts of gas to be delivered throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a seal is created at the anorectal junction, then liquid or gas retention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rectal bumper and skin bumper are constructed from flexible, resilient materials that can conform to the anatomical surfaces they contact. This flexibility allows the bumpers to create effective seals against irregular tissue surfaces and skin contours without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby maintaining seal effectiveness while limiting device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If the skin bumper is positioned at an optimal distance from the rectal bumper, then sealing is improved, but positioning precision is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal qualityVSAvoiddistance between bumpers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a locking mechanism that allows the skin bumper to be positioned dynamically along the guide tube and then locked in place. This dynamic positioning capability enables the operator to adjust the distance between the skin bumper and rectal bumper to achieve optimal sealing for each patient's anatomy, while the locking mechanism ensures the precision of the positioned state during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device provides a secure seal at the anorectal junction, reducing air or CO2 insufflation, minimizing leakage, and enhancing visualization during colonoscopy, while also stabilizing the endoscope and aiding in patient recovery.

Implementation Method 1

A rectal bumper formed of a resilient material is disposed on the guide tube distal end, the rectal bumper adapted to sealing engage rectal tissue when the guide tube is inserted in a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing engagement:

Implementation Method 2

A skin bumper is slidably disposed over the guide tube, and the skin bumper is adapted to engage an intergluteal cleft of the patient, the skin bumper a seal with the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing engagement:

Implementation Method 3

A rectal bumper formed of a resilient material is disposed on the guide tube distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250113991A1Anorectal Rectal Junction Device

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 GI REVIEWERS LLC

AI summary

An anorectal junction device including a guide tube having a distal and proximal end defining a lumen there between. The lumen is adapted to receive there through an endoscope. A rectal bumper formed of a resilient material is disposed on the guide tube distal end, the rectal bumper adapted to sealing engage rectal tissue when the guide tube is inserted in a patient. A skin bumper is slidably disposed over the guide tube, and the skin bumper is adapted to engage an intergluteal cleft of the patient, the skin bumper a seal with the patient. A locking mechanism is provided for selectively locking the position of the skin bumper relative to the guide tube. A scope abutment apparatus is disposed on the proximal end of the guide tube. The scope abutment apparatus adapted to selectively engage the endoscope and for a seal therewith.