Articulating Endoscopic Sealant Applicator with Segmented Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective applicators for efficiently and safely applying surgical sealants during endoscopic or open surgery procedures, particularly for delivering fluids to specific areas within the body.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an elongate outer tube made of rigid material and an elongate inner tube with a wire core, allowing for articulation and precise application of surgical sealants or fluids, featuring a hub for connecting a vessel and a connector fitting for secure attachment, enabling maneuverability and targeted delivery during surgeries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid applicator is used to maintain structural integrity during endoscopic procedures, then the device can withstand surgical forces and pressures, but the device cannot articulate or bend to reach difficult-to-access areas within the body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is divided into multiple segments: a rigid hub portion that maintains structural integrity, a flexible intermediate section that allows articulation, and a delivery tube that can be positioned at various angles. This segmentation enables both strength and adaptability by distributing different functional requirements to different parts of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator incorporates flexible materials in specific sections to enable bending and articulation while maintaining overall structural integrity. The flexible portions allow the device to navigate body cavities and reach difficult-to-access areas while the rigid hub provides the necessary strength for withstanding surgical forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible delivery tube is used to reach difficult-to-access areas, then the device can articulate to desired angles, but the device lacks the structural support for precise control and stable fluid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into a rigid hub portion that provides structural support and control, and a flexible distal portion that enables articulation. This segmentation allows the flexible tube to bend to desired angles while the rigid hub maintains structural integrity for precise control and stable fluid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible delivery tube is nested within or connected to the rigid hub structure, allowing the flexible portion to articulate while being supported by the rigid framework. This nested configuration enables the flexible tube to reach difficult areas while the rigid hub provides the necessary structural support.
3Ease of operation
If the inner tube extends beyond the outer tube at both ends, then the device allows for articulation and directional control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is designed to be movable relative to the outer tube, allowing dynamic adjustment of the delivery angle and position. This dynamic configuration enables directional control while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manipulated during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for and methods that can be used in endoscopic surgery, and more particularly, devices and methods that can be used for endoscopically applying surgical sealants and other fluids to internal organs and tissues.