Endoscope Clot Dissecting Channel for Suction Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes face challenges in suctioning blood clots larger than the working channel's cross-section, leading to clogging and requiring time-consuming manual interventions to clear blockages.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a clot dissecting channel that directs a powerful fluid stream into the working channel to dissect clots before they enter, allowing for the suctioning of larger clot sizes without clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the working channel diameter is kept small to maintain endoscope flexibility and miniaturization, then the endoscope can be inserted into narrow body cavities, but larger blood clots cannot be suctioned without causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate clot dissecting channel that is spatially separated from the working channel. This dissecting channel receives fluid to dissect clots into smaller fragments before they enter the working channel, allowing the working channel to remain small while still being able to handle larger clots through pre-dissection
Solution Approach 2:
The clot dissecting channel acts as an intermediary structure between the clot source and the working channel. It receives clots of various sizes, dissects them into manageable fragments using fluid, and then feeds these fragments into the working channel for suction, thereby mediating the size mismatch between the small working channel and large clots
2Reliability
If manual intervention is performed to clear blockages by introducing air or water rapidly with a syringe, then the working channel can be cleared of blockages, but the procedure time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The clot dissecting channel performs preliminary dissection of clots into smaller fragments before they reach the working channel. This pre-action prevents blockages from forming in the first place, eliminating the need for subsequent manual intervention to clear blockages and thereby reducing procedure time
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses fluid flow through the dissecting channel to automatically dissect and clear clots as they are suctioned. This self-service mechanism continuously maintains patentability of the working channel without requiring external manual intervention, making the blockage clearance process integrated and time-efficient
3Device complexity
If the working channel is used to suction larger blood clots directly, then no additional structures are needed, but the channel becomes clogged and requires manual clearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the suction system into two functional channels: a working channel for suction and a separate dissecting channel for clot fragmentation. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific function, with the dissecting channel handling the complexity of clot size reduction while the working channel maintains its simple suction function
Solution Approach 2:
The dissecting channel serves as an intermediary that processes clots before they enter the working channel. It receives clots of various sizes, fragments them into smaller pieces using fluid, and then delivers these fragments to the working channel, thereby protecting the working channel from clogging and maintaining high suction efficiency
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 clot dissecting channel effectively prevents blockages by dissecting clots into smaller sizes, reducing the likelihood of clogging and enabling more efficient suction procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The clot dissecting channel is configured to eject a fluid stream into the working channel to dissect obstructions (objects or particles), such as clots
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope including: a handle; an insertion cord extending from the handle and including at least a distal tip; a working channel which during suction is configured to let a fluid and a mucus and a clot suctioned from the patient's body cavity flow therethrough; and a clot dissecting channel which is configured to eject a fluid stream for dissecting the clot before or while the clot enters the working channel, the clot dissecting channel being directed towards and opening up towards the working channel or a distal extension of the working channel in the distal tip.