Endoscope Accessory Inflatable Sealing for Acoustic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic examination techniques face challenges in maintaining effective acoustic coupling for ultrasound imaging in the gastrointestinal tract due to air interference, leading to inadequate visualization and potential patient discomfort, and existing solutions like balloons and overtubes limit maneuverability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A flexible endoscope accessory that forms a movable examination compartment around the endoscope tip, using inflatable positioning rings and sealing bands to create a sealed environment that can be filled with air or water, allowing for improved acoustic coupling and enhanced maneuverability without the need to deflate and re-inflate balloons during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water is infused to fill the gastrointestinal tract for acoustic coupling, then ultrasound imaging quality is improved, but patient discomfort and aspiration risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gastrointestinal tract examination into segmented zones using inflatable balloons at different positions. Each balloon creates a localized water-filled acoustic coupling zone around the ultrasound transducer, eliminating the need to fill the entire gastrointestinal tract with water. This segmentation approach maintains imaging quality while significantly reducing the volume of water required, thereby minimizing patient discomfort and aspiration risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces inflatable balloons as intermediary devices that create localized water-filled chambers between the ultrasound transducer and the gastrointestinal wall. These balloons act as mediators that provide acoustic coupling only where needed for imaging, rather than requiring water to fill the entire lumen. This intermediary approach solves the contradiction by providing sufficient acoustic coupling for imaging while limiting water volume to reduce harmful effects.
2Measurement precision
If balloons are used to create acoustic coupling, then ultrasound imaging is improved, but maneuverability and positioning flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically controllable inflatable balloons that can be inflated and deflated as needed during the procedure. This dynamic capability allows the balloons to be inflated only when acoustic coupling is required for imaging, and deflated when maneuverability is needed for repositioning or advancing the endoscope. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between maintaining imaging quality and preserving operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in balloon volume (inflated vs. deflated states) to switch between two operational modes: imaging mode with inflated balloons for acoustic coupling, and maneuvering mode with deflated balloons for flexibility. This parameter-based control allows the system to adapt to different procedural requirements, resolving the contradiction between imaging quality and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If overtube is used to protect the endoscope, then device protection is improved, but maneuverability and procedural accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid overtube structure with flexible inflatable balloons that conform to the gastrointestinal lumen. These flexible balloon structures provide protection and stabilization without the rigid constraints of an overtube, allowing the endoscope to maintain full maneuverability and positioning accuracy while still benefiting from the protective and stabilizing effects of the balloon structure.
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 solution enhances luminal view and maneuverability, reducing patient discomfort and improving the accuracy of endoscopic examinations by maintaining a stable, sealed environment for ultrasound imaging within the gastrointestinal tract.
Implementation Method 1
The key components of the transducer are the piezoelectric crystals that vibrate to produce ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
The reflection of these ultrasound waves is detected by the same crystals at the transducer and reconstruction of these reflections will result in creating a real time image
Implementation Method 3
create a sealed environment that can be filled with air or water, allowing for improved acoustic coupling
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates generally to a diagnostic and therapeutic device. According to some aspects of the invention, the device may be composed of a flexible sheet that is wrapped around the endoscope shaft to form a flexible overtube. The overtube may include an inflatable positioning ring that may be inflated after placement of the overtube just proximal to the tip of the endoscope or colonoscope to secure the position of the overtube and create a seal within the body cavity. The overtube also may include an inflatable sealing band within the internal surface of the overtube that when inflated secure the position of the endoscope within the overtube and create a seal around the endoscope shaft. According to other aspects of the invention, the device may have a catheter with an occlusion balloon at its free end portion that is carried by the overtube and extends beyond the dostal endportion of the overtube and the tip of the endoscope that when inflated secure its position within the body cavity and create a seal within the body cavity. Inflation of the positioning ring, sealing band and occlusion balloon defines an examination compartment within the body cavity at the tip of the endoscope. The examination compartment may be filled with air, or with water, depending on applications. In addition the examination compartment can be thoroughly lavaged using the irrigation tube system.