Balloon Access Device for Endoscope Tissue Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of insufflation gas in endoscopes for expanding the lower GI tract can cause abdominal discomfort and increase the risk of spontaneous perforation, and existing methods require anesthesia and prolonged recovery times.
Innovation Solution
A balloon access device coupled with an endoscope that expands to separate collapsed tissue, allowing visualization and passage without the need for insufflation gas, featuring a balloon that can be inflated to create a seal and guide the endoscope through the GI tract.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If insufflation gas is administered to expand the lower GI tract for visualization and passage, then the collapsed tissue is separated and visualization is improved, but abdominal discomfort increases and the risk of spontaneous perforation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the insufflation function by using a separate balloon component that can be independently inflated to create a sealed chamber, rather than insufflating the entire GI tract. This localized approach separates the visualization function from the harmful effects of widespread gas insufflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon acts as an intermediary device that creates a sealed chamber between the endoscope and the GI tract wall. This intermediary structure allows for localized tissue separation and visualization without requiring systemic insufflation gas, thereby reducing abdominal discomfort and perforation risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If professional anesthesia is administered to manage insufflation gas discomfort, then patient comfort is improved, but recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful effect of widespread insufflation gas by using a localized balloon chamber that seals against the GI tract wall. This eliminates the need for professional anesthesia and reduces recovery time by avoiding both the discomfort of extensive gas insufflation and the sedation effects of anesthesia.
3Ease of operation
If insufflation gas is used to distend the lower GI tract, then tissue separation is achieved and endoscope passage is facilitated, but the anatomy lengthens increasing perforation risk
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the distension function to only the immediate area around the endoscope by using a localized balloon chamber. This prevents widespread anatomy lengthening and associated perforation risks while still achieving adequate tissue separation for safe endoscope passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon creates localized distension quality exactly where needed around the endoscope, rather than uniform distension of the entire GI tract. This local quality approach facilitates endoscope passage while minimizing overall anatomy lengthening and perforation risk.
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 effective visualization and passage through the GI tract without the discomfort and risks associated with insufflation gas, reducing the need for anesthesia and shortening recovery times.
Implementation Method 1
a balloon expandable from a deflated shape to an inflated shape
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a balloon access device having a cap coupleable to an endoscope and a balloon for sealing with the cap when expanded. The balloon access device allows a physician to both separate collapsed tissue and visualize the path of the endoscope without administering insufflation gas to the collapsed area of a patient.