Endoluminal Imaging GUI for EGJ Distensibility Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack accurate methods for assessing esophageal motility and diagnosing conditions like achalasia and dysphagia under realistic swallowing conditions, as current esophageal manometry procedures are limited in providing comprehensive esophageal pressure profiles.
Innovation Solution
The EndoFLIP system uses a catheter probe with sensors to record pressure and impedance data, generating high-resolution 2D and 3D images of esophageal diameters, enabling precise quantification of esophageal contractions and sphincter function, with a graphical user interface for analyzing esophago-gastric junction location and computing distensibility indices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional esophageal manometry is used to assess pressure, then pressure measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision and comprehensiveness of esophageal function assessment are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement modalities (pressure measurement from manometry and impedance measurement from the EndoFLIP catheter) into a single integrated system. This merging allows simultaneous acquisition of pressure profiles and luminal diameter measurements, providing comprehensive esophageal function assessment with enhanced measurement precision without requiring separate procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The EndoFLIP catheter integrates multiple sensing capabilities (pressure sensors and impedance sensors) within a single device, enabling it to perform multiple functions: pressure measurement, luminal diameter measurement, and bolus transit tracking. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive assessment versatility while maintaining precise measurements through a unified platform.
2Measurement precision
If EndoFLIP system with multiple sensors is used, then measurement precision and comprehensiveness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the EndoFLIP catheter integrates impedance sensors and pressure sensors within concentric balloons and catheter layers. The impedance measurement capability is nested within the same catheter structure that houses pressure sensors, allowing multiple measurement functions to coexist in a compact, organized manner that manages device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive data processing and multiple parameters are computed, then diagnostic precision is enhanced, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of raw impedance and pressure data during acquisition, computing key parameters such as luminal diameter, cross-sectional area, and distensibility index in real-time or near-real-time. By performing these computations preliminarily during the procedure rather than requiring extensive post-processing, the system enhances diagnostic precision while minimizing time loss and allowing immediate clinical interpretation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) including a 2D image representative of estimated diameters of an endoluminal tract; displaying, in the GUI, at least one user interface (UI) element among: a first UI element marking location of a esophago-gastric junction, a second UI element marking time and duration of a filling volume event, a third UI element marking time and duration of a dry catheter artifact event, and fourth UI elements marking pressure peak; determining usable data from the 2D image based on the at least one user interface element; computing, based on the usable data from the 2D image, at least one of: a distensibility index, or a maximum diameter of the EGJ; and displaying at least one of: the distensibility index, or the maximum diameter of the EGJ.