Endoscope Handpiece With Integrated Suction And Irrigation Sheath

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopes often have issues with lens fouling due to blood or fluids, requiring removal for cleaning, which disrupts medical procedures, and lack comfortable hand grips and reliable electromechanical suction and irrigation systems.

Innovation Solution

A surgical hand piece with an adjustable sheath and mechanical foot pedal assembly for continuous suction and irrigation, featuring ergonomic design and interchangeable modules for customizable grip and fluid control, allowing for uninterrupted procedures and improved comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the endoscope is removed from the patient to clean the lens, then the lens fouling is resolved, but the procedure time increases and the flow of the procedure is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens visibilityVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing irrigation fluid to the operative field before lens fouling becomes severe, preventing the need for endoscope removal. The system proactively maintains lens clarity through continuous or periodic irrigation rather than reactively cleaning after fouling occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses irrigation fluid as an intermediary substance to clean the lens in place. Instead of removing the endoscope for direct cleaning, fluid is introduced through the sheath to wash away debris from the lens surface while the endoscope remains positioned in the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the endoscope is removed to introduce a suction device, then fluids are removed from the operation area, but the procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluids in operation areaVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the endoscope and suction device into a single integrated assembly. The suction device is positioned within the sheath alongside the endoscope, allowing both visualization and fluid removal functions to be performed simultaneously without removing either device from the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath serves multiple functions: it protects the endoscope, provides a pathway for irrigation fluid, and accommodates the suction device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate device insertions and removals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If electromechanical control devices are used for suction and irrigation, then control is provided, but the stream of irrigation fluid or suction vacuum is not steady and the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidfluid flow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electromechanical control devices with a purely mechanical suction system. A foot-operated pump or gravity-based mechanism provides steady suction without the complexity and reliability issues of electromechanical components, while maintaining ease of operation through foot control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240306889A1Scope system and methods for using same

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 SINUS CLEAR INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

Provided herein are scope devices, systems and methods for using a disclosed scope device for an endoscopic procedure. In one aspect, a disclosed device may include a hand piece with a suction and irrigation hand piece which accommodates a sinus scope which allows the scope lens to be cleaned without removing the scope from the operative field.