Distal Pressure Estimation for Endoscopic Fluid Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing internal pressure within bodily lumens or cavities during medical procedures is challenging, as high or low pressures can stress or damage tissue, diverting medical professionals' attention and complicating the procedure.

Innovation Solution

A medical system with a fluid management system and processor that includes pressure sensors and conduits to measure and estimate internal pressure, using parameters like conduit dimensions and flow resistance to maintain optimal pressure through fluid and suction channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If irrigation fluid is supplied into a bodily lumen or cavity to perform a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure, then the procedure can be performed effectively, but the internal pressure of the bodily lumen or cavity increases which may stress or damage tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural effectivenessVSAvoidinternal pressure of bodily lumen

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor the internal pressure within the bodily lumen or cavity and provide real-time feedback to the fluid management system. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of irrigation fluid flow rates to maintain pressure within safe thresholds, preventing tissue damage while preserving procedural effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid management system dynamically adjusts irrigation and suction parameters based on real-time pressure conditions. The system transitions from static, pre-set flow rates to dynamic, adaptive control that responds to changing pressure conditions, allowing optimal balance between procedural needs and tissue safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stress or pressure

If suction is applied to remove irrigation fluid to decrease pressure, then tissue damage from high pressure is prevented, but low pressure may also stress or damage tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal pressure of bodily lumenVSAvoidtissue damage from pressure extremes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor provides continuous monitoring that enables the feedback control system to detect both high and low pressure conditions. When pressure drops below the lower threshold, the system automatically reduces suction or increases irrigation to prevent tissue collapse, thereby preventing damage from both pressure extremes through the same feedback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes pressure thresholds before the procedure begins, creating a safety buffer zone. The feedback control anticipates pressure excursions by adjusting fluid management proactively, cushioning against both high and low pressure damage before they occur rather than reacting after damage begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stress or pressure

If medical professionals manually manage internal pressure by adjusting irrigation and suction, then pressure can be controlled, but the medical professional's attention is diverted and additional challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal pressure of bodily lumenVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid management system performs self-service by automatically monitoring pressure via sensors and adjusting irrigation and suction parameters without requiring manual intervention. The system manages its own pressure control, freeing the medical professional from continuous attention to pressure management while maintaining safe and effective pressure levels throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively regulates internal pressure, reducing the risk of tissue damage and enhancing procedural control by continuously monitoring and adjusting fluid and suction pressures.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within the first conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20260069119A1Medical devices, systems, and methods for pressure sensing

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Medical devices, systems, and methods are described, including a medical system including a medical device, a fluid management system, and a processor. The medical device may include a shaft that includes at least one working channel extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. The fluid management system may include a first conduit in fluid communication with the at least one working channel and a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within the first conduit. The processor may be communicatively connected to the fluid management system and configured to estimate a pressure around the distal end of the medical device based on the pressure of the first conduit measured by the pressure sensor and at least one parameter of the medical device.