Balloon Access Device for Endoscope Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The administration of insufflation gas in endoscopic procedures can cause abdominal discomfort and risks such as anatomy lengthening and spontaneous perforation, necessitating anesthesia and prolonged recovery times, while also complicating the passage of endoscopes through collapsed gastrointestinal tracts.
Innovation Solution
A balloon access device is introduced that expands from a deflated to an inflated shape, allowing for tissue separation and visualization without insufflation gas, featuring a dome-shaped distal end, a cap for sealing, and a lock mechanism to secure the balloon and catheter, facilitating the passage of endoscopes through collapsed tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If insufflation gas is administered to expand collapsed gastrointestinal tissues, then passage of endoscope and visualization are improved, but abdominal discomfort and procedural risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
A balloon is introduced as an intermediary device between the endoscope and the collapsed gastrointestinal tissue. The balloon is inflated within the collapsed tissue to mechanically separate and distend it, allowing the endoscope to pass through without requiring insufflation gas. This mediator performs the tissue separation function while avoiding the harmful effects of gas insufflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tissue separation function from the insufflation gas system and transfers it to a dedicated balloon device. By removing the need for insufflation gas for this specific purpose, the harmful effects associated with gas administration are eliminated while preserving the beneficial tissue distension effect.
2Illumination intensity
If insufflation gas is administered to improve visualization, then tissue contact with endoscope is reduced, but anatomy lengthening and spontaneous perforation risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon serves as a mediator that creates a controlled distended environment for visualization. By inflating the balloon within the collapsed tissue, it creates space for the endoscope to visualize without requiring system-wide insufflation gas, thereby maintaining visualization quality while eliminating the safety risks associated with gas insufflation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of globally insufflating the entire gastrointestinal tract, the balloon provides localized distension only at the specific site where tissue separation and visualization are needed. This local approach achieves the visualization benefit without the systemic effects of anatomy lengthening and perforation risk.
3Ease of operation
If insufflation gas is used to distend collapsed intestines, then endoscope passage is facilitated, but post-surgical recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the endoscope passage facilitation function from the insufflation gas process and implements it through a balloon device that can be inflated and deflated as needed. This eliminates the need for prolonged post-procedure gas purging, significantly reducing recovery time while maintaining the ability to navigate collapsed intestines.
4Loss of time
If CO2 gas control systems and equipment are purchased for CO2 insufflation, then post-operative recovery time is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tissue distension function from the complex CO2 gas control system and implements it through a simple balloon inflation mechanism. This eliminates the need for expensive CO2 tanks, heaters, and control systems while achieving the same clinical outcome of facilitated endoscope passage without prolonged recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon device appears to be a disposable or single-use component that can be easily inserted and removed, replacing the need for expensive, maintainable gas control infrastructure. This simple, potentially disposable device achieves the desired effect without requiring complex supporting equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon access device for use with an endoscope is disclosed. A transparent balloon attached to the distal end of the endoscope allows a user to both separate collapsed intestinal tissue and visualize the path of the endoscope without administering insufflation gas to the collapsed area of a patient. The attachment of the balloon to the endoscope is achieved by the various embodiments of the balloon access device disclosed herein.