Flexible Catheter Retractor for Endoscopic Working Space Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic technologies lack the ability to optimally expand and stabilize the working space within body lumens, leading to instability during procedures due to tissue collapse, peristalsis, and movement, which complicates instrument manipulation and visualization.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive system with a reversibly-expandable retractor that creates a stable operative environment using flexible elements and an expandable stabilizing member, allowing for asymmetric expansion and dynamic tissue retraction to maximize working space and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional endoscopic procedures are used, then the procedure is less invasive and provides visualization, but the working space is unstable and collapses around the target lesion during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the working space expansion function into separate components: a retractor assembly for creating space and a stabilizer assembly for maintaining it. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to solve the instability problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic elements including inflatable balloons that can be inflated and deflated, and a stabilizer with adjustable positioning capabilities. These dynamic features enable the system to adapt to tissue movement and maintain stability throughout the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the working space is expanded to provide stability, then instrument manipulation is improved, but the distance between entry point and target tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates additional spatial dimensions for instrument manipulation by expanding the working space radially outward from the entry point. This dimensional expansion provides instruments with more degrees of freedom and maneuverability without requiring increased linear distance from the entry point.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor assembly acts as an intermediary structure between the entry point and the target tissue. It creates a stable intermediate workspace that facilitates instrument manipulation while maintaining an optimal geometric relationship with both the entry point and target.
3Ease of operation
If tissue is retracted to create working space, then instrument access is improved, but tissue movement and peristalsis continue to destabilize the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer assembly applies preliminary counteracting forces to oppose tissue movement and peristalsis before they can disrupt the working space. By anticipating and counteracting these natural movements, the system maintains tissue stability throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the working space environment by introducing the stabilizer assembly with adjustable positioning and support characteristics. This modifies the mechanical parameters of the tissue environment to reduce movement and enhance stability.
4Reliability
If a stable working space is created, then visualization and instrument manipulation are improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the retractor assembly and stabilizer assembly into an integrated endoscopic system that shares common structural elements and control mechanisms. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the stability benefits of both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a structural support element and as a positioning mechanism. This universal design reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a working space within a body lumen of a patient including a flexible catheter configured to receive a working instrument therethrough. The flexible catheter has a working space expanding system positioned at the distal portion, the working space expanding system including first and second flexible elements movable from a non-expanded insertion position to an expanded position forming an expanded region to expand the working space within the body. The first and second flexible elements are connected at a distal region by a coupling structure. A stabilizing member stabilizes the distal portion of the flexible catheter.