Endoscope Channel Agent Delivery With Pressurized Fluid Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical systems for delivering hemostatic agents during endoscopic procedures are inefficient, requiring multiple steps, increasing procedure time, and often result in inconsistent dosing or clogging, especially when delivering agents deep within the gastrointestinal tract.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a medical device and a delivery device that includes a coupling region, a source of agent, and a source of pressurized fluid, arranged to deliver the agent through a channel of the medical device, with features like a U-shaped surface and coupler to form a fluid-tight seal, allowing for efficient and controlled delivery of agents to target tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical agent delivery systems are used through the working channel, then the agent can be delivered to the treatment site, but the procedure time increases and dosing consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is divided into separate functional modules: a removable delivery device that couples to the endoscope handle, a separate agent reservoir, and a pressurized fluid source. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables quick exchange of delivery devices between procedures, reducing setup time while maintaining consistent dosing through precise control mechanisms in each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The agent is pre-loaded into the delivery device reservoir before the procedure begins. The pressurized fluid system is pre-configured and ready for immediate actuation. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming setup steps during the procedure while ensuring the pre-measured agent quantity delivers consistent dosing when activated.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the delivery device is passed through the working channel, then the agent can reach remote treatment sites, but the device may clog and dosing consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A pressurized fluid acts as an intermediary carrier that transports the agent from the delivery device through the working channel to the treatment site. The fluid maintains a controlled flow that prevents agent precipitation and clogging while ensuring consistent delivery to remote locations deep within the GI tract.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressurized fluid (gas or liquid) to propel the agent through the delivery catheter and working channel. This pneumatic or hydraulic propulsion mechanism ensures smooth, consistent flow that prevents clogging and maintains reliable dosing delivery to remote treatment sites that would be inaccessible with simple gravity or manual injection methods.
3Reliability
If multiple steps and actuations are required for agent delivery, then the agent can be delivered, but the procedure time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions into a single integrated delivery device: the agent reservoir, pressurized fluid connection, delivery catheter, and actuation mechanism are merged into one removable unit that couples to the endoscope handle. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate manipulation steps and devices, improving procedural efficiency while maintaining reliable agent delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device is pre-configured with the agent loaded in the reservoir and the pressurized fluid system connected before insertion. The device requires only a single actuation step at the target site to deliver the agent, eliminating multiple adjustment and manipulation steps during the procedure, thereby improving productivity without compromising delivery reliability.
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 reduces procedure time and ensures consistent dosing by simplifying the delivery process, minimizing clogging, and effectively delivering agents to remote treatment sites within the body.
Implementation Method 1
At least a first portion of the pressurized gas is introduced into the powdered agent at the junction to fluidize the powdered agent
Implementation Method 2
a source of pressurized fluid... arranged to deliver the agent and the pressurized fluid to the exit port for delivery through the channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Disclosed is a delivery device which may be configured to deliver an agent to a target tissue through a channel of a medical device. The delivery device may include a body including (a) a coupling region configured to removably attach to a handle of the medical device, and (b) a coupler including an exit port for aligning with a port of the channel, wherein the coupler is configured to mate with the port of the channel; a source of the agent including an enclosure with an interior cavity and a funnel portion, the interior cavity containing the agent and the funnel portion including tapered surfaces that lead to an opening at an end of the enclosure; and a source of pressurized fluid. The body, the source of agent, and the source of pressurized fluid may be arranged to deliver the agent and the pressurized fluid to the exit port for delivery through the channel.