Circumferential Rail Access for Elevated Tissue Dissection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to provide controlled access and manipulation of elevated tissues, particularly those that are slightly elevated from a surface tissue, especially in a cavity, especially when non-symmetric, making procedures like endoscopic dissection and removal challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rail that surrounds the elevated tissue, allowing a vehicle to move along the rail and carry tools for manipulation, including dissection, imaging, and removal, with mechanisms for adapting to tissue contours and ensuring complete access to all sides of the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple ring or U-shaped tool is used to guide a blade along a wire track, then the device structure is simple, but controlled access to all sides of elevated tissue is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tool into multiple independent components: a rail structure with multiple lumens, a vehicle that travels along the rail, and interchangeable tools that can be attached to the vehicle. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling comprehensive access to all sides of the elevated tissue through coordinated operation of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a simple linear wire track to a three-dimensional rail structure with multiple lumens that can surround and access elevated tissue from multiple angles and directions. The vehicle travels along the rail in one dimension while tools can be positioned and operated in additional dimensions, enabling complete circumferential access to non-symmetric elevated tissues.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If endoscopic procedures are used for minimally invasive dissection, then invasiveness is reduced, but manipulation of soft elevated tissues becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a rail structure as an intermediary framework that provides mechanical support and guidance within the endoscopic cavity. This rail acts as a mediator between the endoscopic approach and the soft elevated tissue, enabling precise control and stable manipulation without requiring direct manual handling of the delicate tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the manipulation environment by providing a rigid rail structure and stable vehicle platform within the soft endoscopic environment. This allows for controlled movement, precise positioning, and stable tool operation while maintaining the minimally invasive endoscopic approach.
3Ease of operation
If a tubular track member with a lateral slot is used to expose a cutting tip, then the cutting mechanism is simple, but complete access to all sides of non-symmetric elevated tissue is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rail structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, guides vehicle movement, contains multiple lumens for different tool access paths, and enables circumferential access to elevated tissue. The vehicle itself is a universal platform that can carry various interchangeable tools for different manipulation tasks, making the system adaptable to complex non-symmetric tissue geometries.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present subject matter provides a system for allowing controlled access of a tool to all sides of an elevated tissue in a body of a patient, the system including: a rail configured to surround the elevated tissue; and at least one vehicle configured to move along the rail and carry at least one tool configured to manipulate the elevated tissue. Also provided is a method for cutting an elevated tissue in a body of a patient, the method including: inserting a rail to a vicinity of the elevated tissue; surrounding the elevated tissue with the rail; placing a vehicle on the rail; connecting a cutting device to the vehicle; and moving the vehicle along the rail while cutting the elevated tissue with the cutting device. Additional embodiments of the system and method are disclosed herein.