Endoscope Fluid Delivery System with Dedicated Channels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in efficiently and simply delivering fluids during procedures, leading to increased complexity, time consumption, and reduced productivity due to cumbersome liquid delivery methods, which hinder visibility and require multiple steps for fluid introduction and mixing.
Innovation Solution
A multi-fluid endoscopic system with a single large fluid source and pump on a reusable operator console, combined with small fluid reservoirs and pumps within the endoscope, allowing for flexible fluid changes and controlled delivery rates, including mixing capabilities, to enhance procedural efficiency and simplify fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional separate delivery devices (syringes or injection catheters) are used to introduce liquids through the working channel, then fluid delivery is possible, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid delivery function from the working channel and creates a dedicated fluid delivery system with its own channel. This allows simultaneous operation of the working channel for other purposes and the dedicated channel for fluid delivery, eliminating the need to remove and replace syringes or catheters during procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both imaging capabilities and dedicated fluid delivery capabilities into a single device. The fluid delivery system can handle multiple fluid types (irrigation fluids, contrast materials, medications) through a single integrated platform, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and procedures
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for different fluid delivery needs, then various fluids can be delivered, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope integrates multiple functions including imaging, illumination, and dedicated fluid delivery through separate channels into a single device. This allows the system to handle various fluid types (irrigation fluids, contrast materials, medications) and perform multiple procedures without requiring separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery system is segmented into dedicated channels for different fluid types, with each channel independently controllable. This segmentation allows precise delivery of specific fluids to specific locations without cross-contamination, while the integrated design keeps the overall system manageable rather than requiring multiple separate devices
3Ease of operation
If manual fluid delivery methods are used, then fluid can be introduced, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The dedicated fluid delivery channel enables continuous fluid delivery throughout the procedure without interruption for device changes. The system maintains ready-to-deliver fluid pathways from the proximal to distal ends of the endoscope, allowing uninterrupted irrigation, contrast material delivery, or medication administration, thereby increasing procedural efficiency and patient throughput
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 improves the ease of use and efficiency of fluid delivery during endoscopic procedures, reducing procedural time and increasing patient throughput by enabling on-demand fluid delivery and mixing, while being cost-effective enough for disposable use.
Implementation Method 1
a pump that delivers the liquid from the fluid source through the fluid channel
Implementation Method 2
a heated element that heats the liquid within the fluid channel
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope. Certain embodiments of the invention include a single, large fluid source and pump installed upon an operator console, in combination with a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a proximal connector of the imaging endoscope, multiple fluid sources that feed a common fluid channel that are pressurized by a common pump, multiple fluid sources that feed dedicated fluid channels that are pressurized by dedicated pumps, and a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a handheld manual controller of the imaging endoscope. The fluid delivery endoscopic systems of the present invention provide the user with the flexibility of changing fluids either in advance of a procedure or on-the-fly as needed, instead of relying on fixed fluid sources only.