Endoscope Cap Ramp for Large Device Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscopic procedures require invasive methods for delivering large medical devices due to the limited diameter of endoscope working channels, leading to increased patient risk and recovery time.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope cap with a ramp mechanism that attaches to the endoscope's distal end, allowing for the deflection and delivery of larger medical devices towards specific anatomical targets, combined with a tether or sheath system for external advancement alongside the endoscope.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If devices are introduced through the endoscope working channel, then the procedure is minimally invasive, but the device size is limited to 2.0-3.5 mm diameter

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is disposed over the distal end of the endoscope, creating a nested configuration where the cap envelops the endoscope's distal portion. This nesting allows the cap to provide its own separate aperture for device introduction, bypassing the endoscope's working channel size limitation while maintaining the minimally invasive nature of the overall procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces devices alongside the endoscope rather than through its working channel. The cap's aperture positioned at the distal end enables devices to be introduced from a different spatial dimension (alongside the endoscope body) rather than constrained to the endoscope's internal working channel pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If larger working channels of 5.0 mm are used, then larger devices can be passed, but the endoscope becomes more expensive and difficult to intubate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidintubation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the device introduction function from the endoscope's working channel. The cap with its separate aperture handles large device introduction, while the endoscope's working channel can be used for smaller instruments or removed from the calculation entirely for the large device pathway, allowing the endoscope to maintain its standard, easier-to-intubate size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If laparoscopic or open surgery is used to introduce larger devices, then device delivery is achieved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cap serves multiple functions: it attaches to the endoscope's distal end, provides a separate aperture for large device introduction, and enables minimally invasive delivery of devices that would otherwise require laparoscopic or open surgery. This multi-functionality allows a single accessory to eliminate the need for more invasive surgical approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9913574B2Endoscope cap with ramp

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

An endoscope cap is provided for directing medical devices toward a selected target anatomy in a patient. The endoscope cap includes a ramp that may be used to deflect medical devices that have been advanced from a proximal portion of an endoscope to a distal portion thereof. The ramp may be integral with the endoscope cap, or alternatively, may be pivotally attached thereto.