Endoscope Overtube with Occlusion Balloon for Acoustic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic ultrasound systems face challenges in maintaining effective acoustic coupling between the ultrasound transducer and the gastrointestinal wall due to air interference, leading to poor image quality, especially in regions with large lumen diameters or angled transducer positions, and existing solutions like water infusion can cause complications such as aspiration or overdistention.
Innovation Solution
A flexible endoscope accessory with an overtube featuring an inflatable positioning ring and occlusion balloon creates a sealed examination compartment around the endoscope tip, allowing for independent positioning and inflation to maintain acoustic coupling and prevent fluid escape, enabling better image quality without the risks associated with water infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water infusion is used to create acoustic coupling between the transducer and gastrointestinal wall, then image quality is improved, but the risk of aspiration and overdistention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gastrointestinal tract is divided into two separate regions by the occlusion balloon: a sealed examination compartment containing the transducer and a distal region. This segmentation allows water to be confined to the examination compartment for acoustic coupling without risking aspiration or overdistention of the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Solution Approach 2:
The occlusion balloon acts as an intermediary device that creates a sealed barrier between the examination compartment and the distal gastrointestinal tract. This intermediary structure enables controlled water infusion for imaging while preventing the harmful effects of water moving into the airway or overdistending the tract.
2Measurement precision
If a balloon is used to enclose the transducer and create acoustic coupling, then contact with the intestinal wall is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated overtube structure: the occlusion balloon for creating sealed compartments, the positioning ring for securing the device, and the transducer housing for ultrasound imaging. This consolidation achieves acoustic coupling while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The overtube structure serves multiple purposes: it houses the transducer, creates sealed examination compartments with the occlusion balloon, provides positioning stability with the positioning ring, and enables fluid infusion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while maintaining acoustic coupling capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the endoscope position is secured using existing balloon methods, then positioning stability is improved, but the ability to replace the endoscope is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into a stable overtube with occlusion balloon that remains in place, and a replaceable endoscope that passes through the overtube. This segmentation allows the positioning function to be separated from the imaging function, enabling endoscope replacement while maintaining positional stability through the retained overtube and balloon assembly.
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 maintenance and improves image quality by creating a sealed environment for the ultrasound transducer, reducing air interference and minimizing complications like aspiration or overdistention, while allowing for flexible endoscope maneuverability and easy replacement.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable positioning ring on external surface of the flexible overtube for securing the position of the overtube within the body cavity
Implementation Method 2
allowing for independent positioning and inflation to maintain acoustic coupling and prevent fluid escape
Implementation Method 3
The ultrasound transducer is positioned at the tip of endoscope and the key components of the transducer are the piezoelectric crystals that vibrate to produce ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 4
The ultrasonic waves travel through gastrointestinal wall and beyond the visceral wall into the surrounding organs
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope accessory comprises a flexible sheet wrapped around the endoscope shaft to form a flexible overtube. The overtube has an inflatable positioning ring just proximal to the tip of the endoscope or echoendoscope to secure the position of the overtube within the body cavity. The overtube also has a sealing band within the internal surface of the overtube that when inflated create a seal around the endoscope shaft. Another part of the device is the catheter with an occlusion balloon at its free end portion that is carried by the overtube and extends beyond the tip of the endoscope. Inflation of the positioning ring, sealing band and occlusion balloon defines an examination compartment within the body cavity at the tip of the endoscope that can be filled with air or water for improving the quality of the endoscopic examination with regular endoscope of echoendoscope.