Lubricated Colonoscope Sheath for Looping Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Colonoscopes often form loops during procedures due to bowel manipulation, which can rupture the bowel wall and cause complications, necessitating time-consuming resolution that increases procedure duration and risk.

Innovation Solution

A lubricated disposable sheath with a lubricious external surface and attachment mechanisms to secure the sheath to the endoscope, reducing friction and preventing looping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the colonoscope is advanced quickly to reduce procedure time, then productivity is improved, but the risk of looping increases which can cause bowel rupture and complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure timeVSAvoidrisk of looping and bowel rupture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sheath is introduced as an intermediary device between the colonoscope and the patient's bowel. The sheath provides a smooth, lubricated pathway that allows the scope to advance more easily and reduces friction against the bowel wall, thereby preventing looping while enabling faster advancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath changes the friction parameter by providing a lubricated surface with reduced coefficient of friction. This allows the colonoscope to be advanced more quickly without increasing the risk of looping, as the lubricated interface reduces resistance and enables smoother passage through the colon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the scope is advanced slowly to prevent looping, then reliability is improved, but procedure time increases which increases costs and patient risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of loopingVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath acts as a mediator that enables faster scope advancement by providing a lubricated pathway. This intermediary device reduces the need for slow, cautious advancement while maintaining safety, as the sheath's smooth surface prevents the scope from catching on bowel walls or forming loops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath is pre-applied to the colonoscope before insertion into the patient. This preliminary preparation ensures that the lubricated surface is already in place, allowing the physician to advance the scope more quickly from the start of the procedure without needing to pause for lubrication or slow down to prevent looping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a lubricant is applied to reduce friction and prevent looping, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of friction and loopingVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubricant function is merged with the sheath structure itself. Rather than applying lubricant separately to the scope or using a complex lubrication system, the sheath is manufactured with an integrated lubricated or hydrophilic surface, combining the mechanical protection and lubrication functions into a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is discarded after one procedure. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, or maintenance of lubrication systems, and ensures fresh lubrication for each patient without adding long-term complexity to the practice.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Reduces procedure time by up to 20%, decreases looping incidents by 50%, and enhances colonoscopy success rates, minimizing bowel perforations and anesthesia costs.

Implementation Method 1

a lubricious external surface comprising a lubricant along the entire length of the sheath. The lubricant is operable to lubricate the movement of the endoscope shaft through a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS20260020748A1Colonoscope sheath and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 CURTOTECH LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a sheath for reducing looping during insertion of an endoscope during an endoscopic procedure. The sheath may include a lumen operable for receiving a shaft of the endoscope, one or more attachment mechanisms operable to secure the sheath to the endoscope, and a lubricious external surface comprising a lubricant along the entire length of the sheath. The lubricant may be operable to lubricate the movement of the endoscope shaft through a patient and the sheath may cover the entire length of the endoscope shaft prior to being inserted into the patient.