Colonoscopy Air Retention Patch for Loop Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional colonoscopy procedures are cumbersome, require significant dexterity, and cause patient discomfort due to air retention and looping issues, leading to increased pain and the need for sedative medications, which can pose cardiorespiratory risks.

Innovation Solution

An air retention device shaped like a patch with a tightening strap, made of flexible material like silicone, is applied around the colonoscope to reduce water and air/carbon dioxide retention, preventing looping and discomfort by aligning with the anus central axis during the procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If air is introduced to distend the colon for advancement and navigation of the colonoscope, then visualization is improved, but patient discomfort increases due to air retention

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisualizationVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the colonoscope into multiple segments with expansion sections that can be independently controlled. Air can be introduced into specific segments to distend corresponding portions of the colon, improving visualization of particular areas without unnecessarily distending the entire colon, thereby reducing overall patient discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion sections allow for localized air introduction and retention. Each segment can be selectively inflated to provide optimal visualization of specific colon regions while maintaining minimal air in other areas, creating a local quality improvement in visualization without global increase in patient discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the colonoscope is manually advanced through the colon, then the procedure can be performed, but looping occurs causing patient pain and difficulty in advancement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure performanceVSAvoidpatient pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The colonoscope is divided into multiple expandable segments that can be independently inflated. By selectively expanding sections along the colon's path, the scope can navigate loops and bends more effectively, maintaining forward progression without creating excessive loops that cause patient pain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion sections can be pre-inflated before encountering difficult anatomical regions. This preliminary action prepares the scope to navigate potential loops and bends by already having the necessary structural support in place, preventing loop formation before it occurs and reducing patient discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If control dials with control wires are used to direct the scope tip, then directional control is achieved, but the scope returns to neutral position when dials are released

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional controlVSAvoidscope position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion sections act as intermediaries between the operator's directional inputs and the scope tip position. By inflating specific segments, the scope maintains its directed position through the expansion of intervening sections, providing stable positioning without continuous dial pressure and eliminating the return-to-neutral problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If forceful pushing of the scope is applied to advance through loops, then advancement may be achieved, but patient pain and cardiovascular risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescope advancementVSAvoidpatient risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented design allows selective expansion of sections to mechanically push the scope forward through loops and bends. This distributed mechanical force replaces forceful pushing, achieving scope advancement through controlled expansion of specific segments rather than brute force, thereby reducing patient pain and cardiovascular risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of forceful pushing with a pneumatic system using controlled air expansion. By inflating sections along the colon, the scope is gently propelled forward through anatomical challenges without requiring forceful manual pushing, substituting a softer mechanical approach that reduces patient harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240122455A1Air retention device and patch for colonoscopy

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 KORMAN ANDREW S

AI summary

An improved air retention device or a patch for colonoscopy comprises of a first end and a second end located at a distal end of the first end. During colonoscopy, the first end of the air retention device is put on the surface of a person's buttocks such that the surface of the first end is flush with the skin of the person's buttocks—the device placed on the gluteus of a person and tightened around a colonoscope. The second end of the air retention device is pulled away from the first end around a central axis aligned with the center of the anus of the person undergoing the colonoscopy.