Balloon Cuff for Endoscope Stone Fragment Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stone extraction methods, such as extraction baskets and balloon catheters, are cumbersome and increase surgical time due to the need for sequential procedures during intraductal lithotripsy, and often struggle with trapping and relocating stone fragments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A balloon cuff attached to the exterior of an endoscope, allowing for simultaneous intraductal lithotripsy and stone fragment removal without the need to remove the lithotripsy probe, using a balloon that can be inflated to urge fragments into the duodenum for natural passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an extraction basket or balloon catheter is used for stone fragment removal, then stone fragments can be trapped and removed, but surgical time increases due to sequential procedures and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the lithotripsy probe and extraction balloon into a single integrated device. The balloon is positioned distal to the probe on the same catheter, allowing simultaneous stone fragmentation and fragment extraction without removing the probe or inserting a separate extraction device, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining effective stone fragment removal
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction balloon is pre-positioned on the catheter distal to the lithotripsy probe before the procedure begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the extraction mechanism is already in place and ready for immediate use after stone fragmentation, eliminating the time required to insert a separate extraction device
2Reliability
If an extraction basket is used, then stone fragments can be trapped, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases due to orientation requirements and wire snagging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the extraction function into a balloon component that is part of the existing catheter system, eliminating the complex wire basket structure. The balloon can be inflated to trap fragments without requiring precise orientation or risking wire snagging, simplifying the operation while maintaining trapping effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction balloon uses a flexible membrane structure that can be inflated to envelop and trap stone fragments. This flexible shell approach replaces the rigid wire basket, eliminating orientation requirements and wire-related complications while maintaining the ability to trap fragments of various shapes and sizes
3Reliability
If intraductal lithotripsy is performed sequentially with extraction balloon insertion, then stone disintegration and fragment removal can be achieved, but device complexity and procedural steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates both the lithotripsy probe and extraction balloon into a single catheter assembly, reducing the number of separate devices from two (probe plus separate balloon) to one combined device. This maintains the full functionality of stone disintegration and fragment removal while simplifying the overall device configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The combined catheter serves multiple functions: the proximal portion performs lithotripsy to disintegrate stones, while the distal portion contains the extraction balloon for trapping and removing fragments. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive stone treatment capability
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
This solution reduces surgical time and improves the efficiency of stone fragment removal by allowing continuous lithotripsy and extraction without the need for separate devices, ensuring effective relocation and passage of fragments.
Implementation Method 1
An inflation means is in fluid communication with the balloon. The balloon has a deflated state suitable for insertion into a body passage and an inflated state suitable for urging stone fragments along the body passage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A
AI summary
The present invention provides a balloon cuff (20) comprising an attachment structure adapted to be disposed around an exterior surface of an endoscope, and a balloon (30) coupled to the attachment structure. An inflation means (40) is in fluid communication with the balloon. The balloon has a deflated state suitable for insertion into a body passage and an inflated state suitable for urging stone fragments along the body passage. Optionally, an intraductal shock wave lithotripsy procedure may be performed through the working lumen of the first endoscope (50) while the balloon cuff is disposed, either inflated or deflated, about the exterior surface of the first endoscope. The first endoscope and balloon cuff may be used alone to remove stone fragments, or alternatively, may be used in conjunction with a second endoscope, such as a duodenoscope, having a working lumen sized to received the first endoscope having the balloon cuff disposed thereon.