Cervical Seal Spring Structure for Leak-Stable Endoscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical sealing devices for transcervical endoscopy procedures are inefficient in maintaining a reliable fluid seal during endoscope manipulation, leading to leakage of distention fluid.
Innovation Solution
A cervical seal device with an elongate body and a helical spring configuration that compresses and expands to maintain a seal against the cervix, featuring a sealing member with a tapered distal surface and a locking mechanism to adjust pressure, ensuring a consistent fluid seal despite endoscope movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid sealing structure is used to maintain seal integrity, then sealing reliability is improved, but the ability to accommodate endoscope movement and manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member incorporates a helical spring configuration that enables dynamic compression and expansion. The spring can compress when force is applied during endoscope manipulation and expand when force is reduced, allowing the seal to adapt to endoscope movement while maintaining sealing contact with the cervix throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member changes its physical state through compression and expansion of the helical spring. This parameter change allows the sealing member to transition between a compressed state during endoscope insertion/manipulation and an expanded state for maintaining seal integrity, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability
2Reliability
If constant pressure is applied by the sealing member to ensure fluid seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but the ability to accommodate endoscope manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The helical spring configuration provides dynamic pressure adjustment. When the endoscope is manipulated, the spring compresses to accommodate the movement, then expands to restore the sealing pressure. This dynamic behavior maintains fluid seal reliability while allowing smooth endoscope manipulation without requiring constant manual pressure application
3Reliability
If a soft sealing surface is used to improve conformability against the cervix, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the structural strength and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member combines a soft elastomeric sealing surface with a structurally strong helical spring configuration. The elastomeric material provides conformability and sealing effectiveness against the irregular cervical surface, while the helical spring structure provides mechanical strength, durability, and the ability to maintain sealing pressure throughout the procedure
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 provides a continuous and reliable fluid seal against the cervix, accommodating endoscope movement and preventing leakage, thereby enhancing the efficacy of transcervical endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the elongate body having a helical spring configuration such that the elongate body can compress when a force is applied and expand upon reduction of the force
Implementation Method 2
the elongate body having a helical spring configuration such that the elongate body can compress when a force is applied and expand upon reduction of the force
Implementation Method 3
the sealing member having a distal surface with a tapered configuration that tapers in a distal direction
Data Source
AI summary
Cervical seals for use with an endoscope or other tools configured for transcervical access to a patient's uterine cavity, including c cervical seal for use during transcervical access procedures with an elongate device adapted to fit over a shaft of an endoscope; a sealing member disposed at a distal end of the elongate device and an elongate helical spring disposed within the elongate device.