Catheter Extension Control for Endoscope Cryosurgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for introducing a catheter through an endoscope for tissue diagnosis and treatment lack precise control over the catheter's extension distance and are prone to frost formation on the endoscope lens during cryosurgery, affecting visualization and treatment efficacy.

Innovation Solution

The development of a catheter extension control system that includes a tubular member with elastic properties and a catheter handle assembly, allowing for precise positioning of the catheter tip by sliding the extension feature through constricted and expanded slot regions, and a strain relief mechanism to prevent kinking and frost formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the catheter is extended through the endoscope working channel for tissue access, then the catheter can reach the target tissue site, but the catheter extension distance cannot be precisely controlled and the catheter tip position is difficult to reproduce

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter tip position precisionVSAvoidcatheter extension control

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-defined stop positions within the catheter extension control assembly that allow the catheter to be extended to specific, predetermined distances from the endoscope tip. These stop positions are established during device manufacturing, enabling operators to quickly and accurately position the catheter tip at the desired location without complex measurements or adjustments during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If cryogen is sprayed through the catheter for tissue ablation, then tissue freezing is achieved, but frost forms on the endoscope lens obstructing visualization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue ablation effectivenessVSAvoidfrost formation on lens

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the catheter to extend beyond the endoscope tip when positioned at the predetermined stop location. This extraction of the catheter tip from the endoscope body creates a spatial separation that positions the cryogen spray source outside the endoscope's optical path, preventing frost from forming on the lens while maintaining effective tissue ablation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of moving object

If the catheter is advanced through the endoscope for deep tissue access, then the catheter can reach distant targets, but the catheter may kink or deform affecting delivery accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter reach distanceVSAvoidcatheter shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible catheter construction that can bend and conform to anatomical structures while maintaining its functional integrity. The catheter includes a flexible shaft that allows navigation through tortuous pathways yet resists excessive deformation, ensuring the catheter tip maintains its intended configuration and delivery accuracy even when extended to deep tissue locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11871977B2Catheter extension control

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 CSA MEDICAL INC

AI summary

The present disclosure pertains to devices and methods for diagnosis and treatment of biological tissue in which the tissue is accessed by a catheter through a working channel of an endoscope and in which the degree of extension of a distal tip of the catheter beyond a distal tip of the endoscope is controlled.