Endoscopic Balloon Treatment Tool With Ridge-Suppressing Thick Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balloon-equipped treatment tools for endoscopes often result in the formation of bump-shaped ridges during expansion and contraction, which can interfere with the observation of the narrowed portion and hinder the procedure.
Innovation Solution
The balloon-equipped treatment tool features a balloon design with a thick portion formed by ridge-shaped protrusions on the first tail and cone portions, which are designed to suppress the formation of bump-shaped ridges while maintaining flexibility and expandability, allowing for smooth insertion and observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional balloon design is used, then the balloon can be easily manufactured and inserted, but bump-shaped ridges form during expansion and contraction that interfere with observation
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is designed with a thick portion having greater wall thickness than other portions. This localized structural variation suppresses the formation of bump-shaped ridges during expansion and contraction while maintaining the overall simplicity of manufacturing. The thick portion is positioned to specifically address the ridge formation problem without complicating the overall balloon structure.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the balloon wall thickness is increased to suppress ridges, then ridge formation is reduced, but the balloon flexibility and expandability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing wall thickness throughout the balloon, the invention applies increased thickness only to a specific thick portion. This localized approach suppresses bump-shaped ridge formation while preserving flexibility and expandability in other regions of the balloon that require these properties for proper function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the wall thickness parameter locally rather than globally. By varying the thickness parameter in a specific region (the thick portion) while maintaining standard thickness elsewhere, the balloon achieves ridge suppression without sacrificing the flexibility and expandability needed for clinical use.
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 design effectively prevents the occurrence of bump-shaped ridges, ensuring clear visibility of the narrowed portion and facilitating the dilation process without interference, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the endoscopic procedure.
Implementation Method 1
The operator introduces fluid to the inside of the balloon through a sheath having a lumen inside that communicates with the balloon. As a result, the folding of the balloon is canceled and the balloon is expanded.
Implementation Method 2
After that, the balloon is contracted by discharging the fluid existing inside the balloon through the lumen.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, a balloon-equipped treatment tool for an endoscope includes a balloon, and a sheath connected to a proximal end side of the balloon and configured to introduce fluid to the balloon. The balloon includes a body portion having a first wall thickness, a cylindrical tail portion arranged on a proximal end side of the body portion and connected to the sheath, a cone portion located between the body portion and the tail portion, and a thick portion forming a second wall thickness larger than the first wall thickness. The thick portion whose distal end is arranged in the cone portion and whose proximal end is arranged in the tail portion.