Endoscope Outer Rail Guide for Medical Device Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic procedures face challenges in maintaining longitudinal positioning and accommodating various sizes of medical devices within the gastrointestinal anatomy due to the varying diameters of working channels in endoscopes, which limits access to certain anatomical areas and increases the risk of procedures.
Innovation Solution
An outer rail guide system is integrated into the endoscope insertion tube, allowing medical devices with complementary mounting units to be slidably attached and advanced beyond the distal end, replacing traditional working channels and enabling the use of multiple device sizes with a single endoscope while maintaining precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional working channels are used in endoscopes, then medical devices can be introduced for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, but the varying diameters of working channels limit access to certain anatomical areas and increase procedure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rail system serves as a universal guide structure that can accommodate multiple different medical devices of varying sizes and configurations. The rail's predetermined shape and the complementary mounting units create a standardized interface that enables one endoscope to support diverse medical instruments, eliminating the need for multiple specialized endoscopes for different device sizes.
2Ease of operation
If traditional working channels are used, then medical devices can be introduced, but maintaining longitudinal positioning within patient anatomy is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rail acts as an intermediary guide structure between the endoscope and the medical devices. It provides a stable reference framework that maintains longitudinal positioning within the patient's anatomy, while the mounting units on the medical devices interface with this rail to ensure proper alignment and positioning during procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple endoscopes with different working channel diameters are used to accommodate various medical devices, then access to different anatomical areas is improved, but device complexity and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rail system creates a universal interface that allows a single endoscope to accommodate multiple different medical devices. The predetermined shape of the rail and complementary mounting units provide a standardized connection mechanism that works with various device sizes and types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized endoscopes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If larger working channels are used to accommodate various device sizes, then device compatibility is improved, but the outer diameter of the insertion tube increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the internal working channel diameter to accommodate various devices, the invention moves the guide structure to the external surface of the insertion tube. The outer rail is formed on the external surface, allowing medical devices to be guided externally rather than through internal channels, thus maintaining a smaller insertion tube outer diameter while still providing compatibility with various device sizes.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~2
AI summary
An endoscope apparatus for endoscopic treatment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an endoscopic insertion tube comprising an outer surface including an outer rail formed longitudinally thereon and extending along a portion of the insertion tube. The outer rail has a predetermined shape. The insertion tube comprises an inner channel formed therethrough. An endoscope apparatus for endoscopic treatment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an endoscopic insertion tube without a working channel and an outer surface including at least one outer rail formed longitudinally thereon and extending along a portion of the insertion tube. The outer rail has a first predetermined shape. At least one medical device includes an outer wall having at least one mounting unit formed thereon along a portion of the length of the outer wall. The mounting unit has a second predetermined shape cooperable with the first predetermined shape. The second predetermined shape is formed to complement and slidably cooperate with the first predetermined shape of the outer rail for slidably attaching the medical device thereto.