Biological Navigation Device Pulling Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic devices face challenges in navigating tortuous biological lumens due to looping and mesocolon distortion, requiring significant skill and often necessitating anesthesia, and have high costs and complex cleaning procedures, with existing solutions failing to provide optimal steering and material properties for cost-effective, mass-produced devices.
Innovation Solution
A biological navigation device with an actuator and anchoring balloon system that allows for local pulling motion, using a bellows with a spring mechanism and inflatable anchoring balloons to advance the endoscope while minimizing wall stress, and an overtube for flexible navigation, which can be integrated with existing endoscopes to enhance steering and reduce material complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pushing and twisting motions are used to navigate the colonoscope, then the device can advance through the colon, but significant patient pain results due to looping and mesocolon distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional pushing motion from the proximal end to a pulling motion from the distal end. The pull wire is attached to the tip and extends to the proximal end, allowing the operator to pull the tip forward rather than push from the handle. This inversion eliminates looping and mesocolon distortion by directly advancing the tip without compressing the shaft, thereby resolving the technical contradiction between navigation capability and patient comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the steering function from the proximal handle to the distal tip by implementing articulating sections at the tip with pull wires attached directly to the tip. This allows independent tip steering without moving the entire shaft, removing the source of looping and mesocolon distortion while maintaining navigation capability
2Ease of operation
If reusable colonoscopes with articulating sections are used, then navigation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing articulating sections only at the distal tip rather than throughout the entire shaft. The pull wires are attached only at the tip, creating localized steering capability where it is most needed. This reduces the overall part count and complexity compared to traditional designs while maintaining effective steering control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent is designed with simplified construction that enables disposable use. By reducing the number of articulating sections and using a simpler pull wire mechanism, the device can be manufactured at lower cost suitable for single-use applications, eliminating cleaning and sterilization requirements while maintaining navigation capability
3Reliability
If traditional colonoscope designs are used, then visualization can be achieved, but cleaning and maintenance become time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simplified design with fewer internal channels and components that can be configured for disposable use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures, reducing cleaning time and associated costs while maintaining the visualization capability through the endoscope
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
The device enables more efficient navigation through biological lumens with reduced patient discomfort and procedural costs, allowing for effective visualization and treatment while maintaining the benefits of existing endoscopic hardware and training, and simplifying cleaning and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
A biological navigation device with an actuator and anchoring balloon system that allows for local pulling motion, using a bellows with a spring mechanism
Implementation Method 2
A biological navigation device with an actuator and anchoring balloon system that allows for local pulling motion, using a bellows with a spring mechanism and inflatable anchoring balloons
Data Source
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AI summary
A biological navigation device that can be attached or integrated with an elongated tool, such as an endoscope, is disclosed. The device can be used for propulsive advance through a biological lumen. The device can anchor to the biological lumen. The device can subsequently or concurrently propel the endoscope and anchor the device to the biological lumen. Methods for using the same are also disclosed.