Bellows Conduit Medical Instrument Introduction Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) in narrow cavities like the esophagus, duodenum, and large intestine is challenging due to limited access and difficulty in introducing medical instruments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument introduction device with an outer tube and inner needle system, where the outer tube has a stretchable conduit portion with a bellows folded shape and an expandable anchor, allowing for increased axial length and radial expansion for instrument introduction, along with a cauterization portion for tissue access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid tube structure is used for introducing medical instruments into narrow cavities, then structural strength is maintained, but the ability to expand and adapt to narrow spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is designed with a dynamic structure that transitions from a compressed bellows shape during insertion to an expanded cylindrical shape during operation. The conduit includes expansion portions that can be elastically deformed to increase the lumen diameter, allowing the same structure to adapt to different spatial requirements while maintaining structural integrity through controlled elasticity
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the conduit, specifically its length and diameter, are made changeable through the expansion mechanism. The conduit can transform from a compact state with smaller dimensions for easy insertion to an expanded state with larger dimensions for effective instrument introduction and operation within the target cavity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conduit portion is made highly expandable to reach narrow cavities, then adaptability to narrow spaces improves, but the force required to stretch the folded shape increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is divided into multiple functional segments: a bellows-shaped expansion portion with alternating first and second expansion portions, connection portions, and a flattened portion. This segmentation allows different sections to perform different functions - some segments provide structural support while others provide expandability, distributing the mechanical stress and reducing the force required for overall expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit employs a dynamic bellows structure that can be progressively expanded. The alternating expansion portions allow the conduit to stretch in a controlled manner, with each expansion segment contributing to the overall length increase while sharing the mechanical load, thereby reducing the peak force required compared to a single-point expansion design
3Reliability
If the anchor portion is expanded radially to engage with the luminal organ, then fixation stability improves, but the profile during insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor portion is designed as a dynamic structure that transitions from a compressed low-profile state during insertion to an expanded high-profile state for fixation. The expandable anchor can be introduced in a compact form through the conduit and then expanded radially once positioned, providing stable engagement with the luminal organ wall only when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable anchor is designed to be nested within the conduit during insertion, similar to a nested doll structure. The anchor occupies minimal space within the conduit lumen and then expands outward to engage with the target tissue, allowing the system to maintain a small insertion profile while achieving a large fixation profile
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
Facilitates easier access and treatment in narrow cavities by expanding the conduit and anchoring within the organ, reducing procedural difficulty and enabling effective treatment of various lesions with minimal tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
the conduit portion has a bellows folded shape in a natural state, wherein a dimension of the conduit portion in an axial direction is capable of being increased as the folded shape is stretched by the inserted inner needle portion
Implementation Method 2
the anchor portion may include a balloon which is expandable and shrinkable
Implementation Method 3
the inner needle portion may include a cauterization portion arranged at a distal end of the inner needle portion, the cauterization portion being configured to cauterize tissue by conducting electric current to the cauterization portion
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument introduction device, includes an outer tube portion indwelled within a body wall; and an inner needle portion inserted through the outer tube portion, wherein the outer tube portion includes a base portion; a tubular conduit portion whose proximal end portion is connected to the base portion; and an anchor portion connected to a distal end portion of the conduit portion, wherein the conduit portion has a bellows folded shape in a natural state, a dimension of the conduit portion in an axial direction being capable of being increased as the folded shape is stretched by the inserted inner needle portion, and a force needed for stretching the folded shape being gradually decreased in a direction from the proximal end portion to a distal end portion of the conduit portion, and the anchor portion and the inner needle potion are couplable with each other.