Endoscope With Multi-Directional Arms And Integrated Instrument Camera

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopes face limitations in providing clear views of medical instruments and procedures during minimally-invasive surgery due to separate optics and instrument manipulation challenges, hindering visual and data availability for surgeons.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope with multi-functional and multi-directional extending arms supporting cameras, lights, and sensors that can be deployed through a single portal, allowing for adjustable imaging and data transmission, along with an integrated image capture device on medical instruments for enhanced visualization and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If separate optics and medical instruments are used, then the endoscope can be inserted through small openings for minimally-invasive surgery, but it becomes difficult to view the medical instrument and the work being done

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvasiveness of procedureVSAvoiddifficulty of manipulating and coordinating devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the endoscope optics with the medical instrument by integrating a camera system directly onto the instrument shaft. This merging allows the instrument to capture images of its own operation and surrounding anatomy, eliminating the need for separate viewing devices and making it easier to visualize the work being performed during minimally-invasive procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The medical instrument is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating imaging capabilities (camera, lights, sensors) directly onto the instrument. This allows the same instrument to both perform the surgical function and provide visual documentation, reducing the number of separate devices needed and simplifying the procedural workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple medical instruments are inserted simultaneously, then more complex procedures can be performed, but it becomes increasingly difficult to manipulate and coordinate all devices while continuously repositioning the endoscope

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform complex proceduresVSAvoiddifficulty of simultaneous manipulation and coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating imaging capabilities into each medical instrument, the patent allows each instrument to provide its own visual feedback. This eliminates the need for continuous endoscope repositioning to view different instruments, as each instrument independently captures and transmits visual information, simplifying the coordination of multiple devices during complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the medical instrument must move around an object within the body, then access to different areas is achieved, but the endoscope may be unable to follow the medical instrument and provide adequate images of an area of interest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access different areasVSAvoidloss of visual information of area of interest

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the imaging function from the central endoscope by placing camera systems on multiple individual instruments. Each instrument independently captures visual information from its specific location and angle, ensuring that visual information is not lost when instruments move around anatomical structures. This segmentation allows parallel imaging from multiple perspectives simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a single portal is used for insertion, then minimally-invasive benefits are maintained, but the endoscope has limited ability to provide comprehensive internal views

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvasiveness of procedureVSAvoidcomprehensive imaging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to endoscopic imaging by incorporating multiple imaging modalities (standard camera, fluorescence camera, sensors) on the instruments themselves. This creates a multi-dimensional imaging system where visual information is captured from multiple angles and wavelengths simultaneously, providing comprehensive internal views while maintaining single-portal insertion and minimally-invasive benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10743744B2Endoscope with multidirectional extendible arms and tool with integrated image capture for use therewith

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 ENDOPODIUM

AI summary

An endoscope and methods of use thereof is provided with at least one multi-functional, multi-directional arm supporting a plurality of imaging, lighting and other sensory elements. The multi-functional arms provide a mounting platform upon which cameras, lights and sensors may be mounted to generate multiple-angled images and video, arena-like lighting and other data relevant to performing a diagnostic or MIS procedure. The multi-directional arms may be inserted through a single portal in the endoscope and deployed in multiple directions from a single portal once inserted into a body cavity. The pitch, roll, length and curvature of each of the extending arms may be individually or jointly adjusted to create a customized view of an internal space during an endoscopic procedure. The extending arms may also include communication elements to wirelessly transmit the images and other data generated by the sensory elements to a remote computing and display device.