Biliary Access Sheath Self-Expanding Distal Anchor
Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic procedures for accessing biliary and pancreatic ducts are hindered by the difficulty in navigating larger fiber optic scopes with greater than 1.2 mm working channels through smaller mother scopes, requiring expensive 'mother-baby' systems and risking scope withdrawal during manipulation, especially in direct peroral cholangioscopy.
Innovation Solution
A biliary access sheath with a self-expanding distal portion, constraining during introduction and expanding to anchor within the biliary tree, allowing for efficient navigation and retention of ultra-slim endoscopes with a 2 mm accessory channel, compatible with standard endoscopes and reducing procedural costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a larger fiber optic scope with greater than 1.2 mm working channel is used, then diagnostic and therapeutic options are improved, but the difficulty of navigating through a mother scope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scope system is divided into two independent components: a standard duodenoscope for access and a separate ultra-slim intraductal endoscope for intraductal procedures. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the duodenoscope provides robust access capabilities while the ultra-slim scope (with 2 mm accessory channel) provides enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic options without the navigation difficulties of forcing a large scope through a mother scope.
2Reliability
If a mother-baby scope system is used, then access to biliary and pancreatic ducts is achieved, but procedural cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultra-slim intraductal endoscope is designed with a 2 mm accessory channel that can accommodate various therapeutic devices including baskets, balloons, and stents, making it a universal platform for multiple biliary and pancreatic procedures. This eliminates the need for separate mother-baby scope configurations and allows a single scope to perform multiple functions, thereby reducing procedural costs while maintaining reliable access.
3Productivity
If an ultra-slim scope is directed into a bile duct without a mother scope, then procedural efficiency is improved, but the risk of scope withdrawal during manipulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that facilitates the introduction of the ultra-slim intraductal endoscope into the biliary tree. The delivery catheter provides a tracking mechanism and initial support, allowing the ultra-slim scope to be navigated efficiently without requiring a mother scope. Once positioned, the scope is secured within the biliary duct, eliminating the risk of withdrawal while maintaining procedural efficiency.
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 efficient and cost-effective navigation and retention of ultra-slim endoscopes within the biliary tree, reducing the need for expensive 'mother-baby' systems and minimizing scope withdrawal risks, while providing superior image quality and expanded diagnostic and therapeutic options.
Implementation Method 1
The distal tube portion (106) is configured as a self-expanding tube, similar to a self-expanding stent construction, being constrained during introduction into a proximal portion of the biliary tree, and released to anchor the distal sheath portion (106) therein.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 3~3A
Figure 4~4B
AI summary
A biliary access sheath may include an elongate proximal tube portion having a fixed outer diameter and permanently attached to a distal tube portion having an outer diameter that may be constricted and expanded. The distal portion may be configured as a self-expanding tube similar to a self-expanding stent construction, being constrained during introduction into a proximal portion of the biliary tree, and released to anchor the distal sheath portion therein. In another aspect, a method for introducing an intra-ductal endoscope may use a biliary access sheath as herein described.