Endoscope Inverted U-Shape for Stable Pericardial Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopic heart surgery methods face challenges in maintaining a stable field of view within the pericardial space due to heart pulsation, which affects the maneuverability and clarity of the endoscopic image.
Innovation Solution
The method involves inserting an endoscope into the pericardial space through the subxiphoid area, advancing it towards the heart apex while maintaining an inverted U-shaped configuration to ensure stable support by the pericardium, and using rotational and bending maneuvers to maintain a clear observation distance and orientation, along with pulsation suppression techniques to stabilize the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the endoscope is inserted into the pericardial space to observe the heart surface, then the ability to perform minimally invasive heart surgery is improved, but the field of view becomes unstable due to heart pulsation
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is configured to follow a curved path through the pericardial space, with the inserted portion naturally forming an inverted U-shape that conforms to the pericardial cavity anatomy. This curved configuration allows the endoscope to maintain stable contact with the pericardium while observing the heart surface, compensating for heart pulsation movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pericardium acts as an intermediary medium between the endoscope and the heart surface. By maintaining contact with the pericardium rather than directly with the pulsating heart, the endoscope achieves stable positioning while still being able to observe the heart surface through the pericardial space.
2Measurement precision
If the endoscope is positioned to maintain observation distance from the heart surface, then image clarity is improved, but the maneuverability of the endoscope is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is designed with flexible sections that allow it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. The inserted portion can bend and rotate to maintain the optimal observation distance from the heart surface while still reaching different treatment areas, balancing image clarity with maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope utilizes three-dimensional positioning within the pericardial space, moving not only in the anterior-posterior direction but also in vertical and lateral dimensions. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the endoscope to maintain observation distance while accessing various heart surfaces through rotational and bending maneuvers.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the endoscope follows the natural curvature of the pericardial space, then the field of view stability is improved, but the insertion complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope's inserted portion has inherent flexibility that allows it to self-adjust and conform to the pericardial space curvature without requiring complex external manipulation. The device's own structural properties enable it to navigate the curved path and maintain stable positioning, reducing the complexity of the insertion procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
It is an object to provide an endoscopic heart surgery method with which it is possible to observe an endoscopic image with a stable field of view in the pericardial space. Provided is an endoscopic heart surgery method including an inserting step of inserting an inserted portion of an endoscope into a body from the subxiphoid area and inserting the inserted portion into the pericardial space by penetrating the pericardium in the vicinity of the heart apex; a moving step of advancing the inserted portion toward the base of the heart so that the inserted portion passes through the roof of the pericardial space and is moved toward the heart apex to a treated area in the pericardial space; and an observing step of observing the treated area with the endoscope.