Colonoscope Snare and Scraping Mechanism for Polyp Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polypectomy devices often damage the muscularis and submucosa during polyp removal, particularly when using hot snare polypectomy, and are time-consuming for sessile polyps due to the need for electrocautery and saline injection.

Innovation Solution

A polypectomy device with a snare loop and cutting means, where the cutting means are used in conjunction with the snare loop to scrape and remove polyps without the need for electrocautery, reducing tissue damage and allowing for efficient removal of both pedunculated and sessile polyps without elevating the mucosa.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hot snare polypectomy is used to remove polyps, then polyp removal is achieved, but damage to submucosal vessels and muscularis occurs due to coagulation and deeper cuts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolyp removal efficiencyVSAvoidtissue damage to submucosa and muscularis
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the polyp removal function into two distinct components: a snare loop for grasping the polyp and a separate cutting means (inner tube with cutting edge) for removing it. This segmentation allows the cutting action to occur without the need for electrocautery, thereby avoiding damage to surrounding tissues while maintaining effective polyp removal capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the harmful electrocautery function from the polypectomy process. By using a mechanical cutting means (inner tube with cutting edge) instead of thermal coagulation, the device removes the source of tissue damage while preserving the essential function of polyp removal through a safer mechanical scraping action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If saline injection is used to elevate sessile polyps before removal by snare loop, then polyp removal is possible, but the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to remove sessile polypsVSAvoidtime required for polyp removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the time-consuming saline injection step from the polypectomy process for sessile polyps. The cutting means (inner tube) can directly scrape and remove sessile polyps without requiring prior elevation, thereby maintaining the ability to handle different polyp types while significantly reducing the procedural time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting means is designed with a localized cutting edge at the distal end of the inner tube that can directly engage and scrape sessile polyps attached to the gastrointestinal wall. This localized cutting capability provides adaptability for different polyp types without requiring the time-consuming elevation step that would otherwise be necessary for sessile polyps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3946097B1Colonoscope for removing colorectal polyps
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 VAN OVERBEKE LODE
  • EP3946097B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3946097B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3946097B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an embodiment a polypectomy device is disclosed for removing a polyp comprising an outer tube (220) comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and a slidably disposed wire arranged in the outer tube and extending between the distal and proximal end comprising a snare loop (110) at the distal end; and controlling means operatively coupled to the wire at the proximal end; wherein the controlling means are configured to slide the wire such that the snare loop (110) extends out the outer tube at the distal end in an open condition for placing the snare loop around the polyp; wherein the outer tube further comprises cutting means at the distal end configured to scrape the polyp, and wherein the controlling means are further configured to, when the snare loop is in the open condition, slide (203) the cutting means with respect to the outer tube towards the polyp for removing it.