Single-Use Endoscopic Cannula Sheath with Low-Reflectivity Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopes require costly decontamination and specialized personnel, making them less efficient and more expensive than portable, hand-held single-use endoscopes, which lack effective solutions for reducing image artifacts due to light reflection and fluid management.

Innovation Solution

A portable endoscopic system with a single-use cannula and access sheath featuring a low-light reflectivity surface, integrated imaging module, and fluid management system, including a syringe port, injection needle, and flow regulator, allowing for precise injection and imaging guidance without the need for extensive decontamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional endoscopes are used, then decontamination and specialized personnel are required, but cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidspecialized personnel and facilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies disposable single-use cannulas and access sheaths that are discarded after each patient interaction, eliminating the need for complex decontamination facilities and specialized personnel while maintaining infection control reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscopic system is divided into disposable single-use components (cannula, access sheath) and reusable components (imaging module, control unit), allowing the complex parts to be reused while the simple parts are discarded, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If single-use endoscopes are used, then cost decreases, but image artifacts from light reflection occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination requirementsVSAvoidlight reflection artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful light reflection from the access sheath into a beneficial effect by using the reflected light to illuminate the injection site, improving visibility during the procedure while eliminating the need for additional lighting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If cannula rotates for injection guidance, then injection precision improves, but fluid management becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection guidance accuracyVSAvoidfluid management

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fluid management system with suction ports and irrigation channels that act as intermediaries to control fluid flow during cannula rotation, maintaining visibility and preventing tissue damage while allowing precise injection guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides efficient, cost-effective medical procedures with reduced image artifacts and improved fluid management, enabling precise injections and reducing patient discomfort by maintaining the access sheath's position during cannula rotation.

Implementation Method 1

The open distal end of the sheath has a radially inwardly facing surface that is made of or is covered with a material characterized by low light reflectivity to thereby prevent or at least significantly reduce artifacts in images from said imaging module due to light reflected by said radially inwardly facing surface of the sheath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a back-flow restrictor at its proximal end configured to resist proximal fluid flow from said space between the cannula and the sheath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow resistance:

Implementation Method 3

an imaging module at its distal end configured to produce image data for a field of view that includes said markings and further includes an imaged region distal from the sheath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20240065531A1Hand-held endoscopic system with a single-use cannula and a single-use access sheath

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 MICRONVISION CORP

AI summary

A portable endoscopic system injects medication into a patient's cavity using a single-use access sheath inserted in the cavity with a single-use endoscopic cannula inserted in the sheath. A display mounted on a handle secured to the cannula shows images of target tissue taken with an imaging module at a distal end of the cannula. The sheath can remain in the same position in the patient while the cannula rotates in the sheath. The distal end of the injection needle is offset radially from a central axis of the cannula, so rotation of the cannula points the needle to new injections sites. The cannula, needle, and injection sites are seen on the display, as is the angular position of the cannula relative to markings at the distal end of the sheath. The distal end of the sheath has surfaces made of or covered by non-reflective or low-reflection material to prevent or reduce image artifacts due to reflection from the sheath.