Degassed Drink Solution for Stomach Endoscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas bubble formation in the stomach during endoscopic procedures, particularly in capsule endoscopy, leads to measurement errors due to reactions between the expansion liquid and gastric juices, causing optical distortions and navigability issues with magnetically guided capsules.

Innovation Solution

A degassed aqueous drink solution is used, which is freed of dissolved gases like CO2, N2, and O2, and may include additives such as silicone oil for defoaming and a pH buffer to maintain stable conditions, reducing bubble formation and improving navigability and measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If an aqueous drink solution is used to expand the stomach during endoscopy, then the stomach can be adequately expanded for examination, but gas bubble formation occurs due to reactions with gastric juices causing measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestomach expansion volumeVSAvoidmeasurement data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drink solution is pre-treated by degassing to remove dissolved gases before administration to the patient. This preliminary action prevents gas bubble formation during the endoscopic examination, eliminating optical distortions and measurement errors while maintaining stomach expansion capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the drink solution by adjusting pH and adding defoaming agents. These parameter modifications prevent gas bubble formation and stabilize the solution's interaction with gastric juices, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining adequate stomach expansion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a degassed drink solution is used to prevent gas bubble formation, then measurement precision is improved, but the solution requires additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement data accuracyVSAvoidsolution preparation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drink solution is pre-degassed and pre-adjusted in pH before patient administration. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during the procedure, improving measurement precision while the processing is completed in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Defoaming agents are added as intermediary substances to the drink solution. These agents mediate between the solution and gastric juices, preventing gas bubble formation through chemical action and simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for complex mechanical or procedural interventions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If regular drink solution is administered to expand the stomach, then the procedure is simple to implement, but gas bubbles adhere to capsule surfaces reducing navigability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidcapsule navigability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drink solution is pre-degassed and defoamed before administration to maintain capsule navigability during magnetically guided capsule endoscopy, while still providing adequate stomach expansion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pH of the drink solution is adjusted and defoaming agents are added to change its physical-chemical properties. These changes prevent gas bubble formation on capsule surfaces, maintaining navigability while preserving the simplicity of oral administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of a degassed drink solution significantly reduces measurement errors by preventing gas bubbles from adhering to sensors and capsules, enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of both image and measurement data acquisition.

Implementation Method 1

an aqueous drink solution which is freed of dissolved gases like CO2, N2, and O2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDegassing:

Implementation Method 2

may include additives such as silicone oil for defoaming

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDefoaming: Antifoam

Implementation Method 3

a pH buffer to maintain stable conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH buffering:

Data Source

PatentUS10231606B2Method for determining measured data from the stomach of a patient
Publication Date: 2019.03.19 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH

AI summary

In a method to obtain measurement data from the stomach of a patient using an endoscope, a degassed aqueous drink solution is administered to the stomach of the patient and the measurement data are acquired with the degassed aqueous drink solution present in the stomach.