Endoscope Viscoelastic Composition for Clear Bleeding-Site Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face difficulties in securing a clear field of view when opaque dark-colored liquids or semi-solid materials obstruct the view, particularly during hemorrhages, as conventional methods like water or gas conveyance often mix with the obstructing substances, leading to unclear visibility and hinder effective hemostasis treatments.
Innovation Solution
A viscoelastic composition with specific hardness, viscosity, and loss tangent properties is used to physically push aside obstructing substances, maintaining clarity and enabling simplified hemostasis treatments by minimizing mixing and diffusion, and reducing electrical conductivity for effective electrocoagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If water or gas is conveyed into the canal to remove obstructing substances, then the field of view is temporarily secured, but the liquid or semi-solid material mixes with the conveyed water or gas, causing diffusion and making it difficult to secure the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state and rheological properties of the clearing agent. Instead of using simple water or gas, the invention uses a viscoelastic composition with specific elasticity and viscosity parameters. This composition has a loss tangent of 0.01 or less and viscosity of 100 Pa·s or more at 37°C, which fundamentally changes how the clearing agent interacts with obstructing substances - it pushes them aside elastically rather than mixing with them, thereby maintaining field of view clarity while effectively removing obstructions.
2Illumination intensity
If a hydrogel composition is used to secure the field of view, then mixing with blood or feces is prevented, but the hydrogel may be too sticky or difficult to administer through the endoscope channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the viscoelastic composition's physical properties temperature-dependent. The composition maintains high viscosity and elasticity at body temperature (37°C) to effectively push aside obstructing substances, but becomes more fluid at lower temperatures during administration, allowing easy injection through the endoscope channel. This dynamic property adjustment resolves the contradiction between effectiveness and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the parameter range of the viscoelastic composition, specifically setting the loss tangent to 0.01 or less and viscosity to 100 Pa·s or more at 37°C. These parameter specifications ensure the composition has sufficient elasticity to clear obstructions while remaining manageable for clinical administration, balancing field of view clarity with operational ease.
3Measurement precision
If conventional hemostasis treatment is performed in the presence of opaque liquid, then hemorrhage site identification is difficult, but removing the liquid requires mixing with water or gas which obscures the view further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the viscoelastic composition as an intermediary substance between the endoscope and the obstructing substances. This composition temporarily replaces the opaque liquid in the field of view, allowing clear visualization of the hemorrhage site. The intermediary pushes aside blood and other obstructions without mixing with them, enabling both identification and treatment of hemorrhage sites while maintaining field of view clarity throughout the procedure.
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 viscoelastic composition effectively secures the field of view by physically displacing obstructing substances without mixing, allowing clear visualization of hemorrhage sites and facilitating hemostasis treatments like electrocoagulation.
Implementation Method 1
a viscoelastic composition having elasticity together with viscosity... the viscoelastic composition securing the field of view by pushing the liquid aside
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a viscoelastic composition having excellent operability, which is suitable for use in securing the field of view of an endoscope when opaque dark-colored liquid accumulates inside a canal and obstructs the field of view of the endoscope, the viscoelastic composition securing the field of view by pushing the liquid aside, and to provide a method for securing the field of view of an endoscope using the viscoelastic composition. The viscoelastic composition for securing the field of view of an endoscope comprises a substance having viscoelastic properties and water, preferably has a hardness of 550 N/m2 or less, a viscosity (25°C) of 200 to 2,000 mPa·s, and a loss tangent of 0.6 or less, and more preferably has an electrical conductivity of 250 µS/cm or less. The method for securing the field of view of an endoscope comprises feeding the viscoelastic composition from a proximal part of the endoscope, through a channel, into a distal part of the endoscope.