Endoscopic Centering Sheath for Uniform Cavity Wall Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for Type II diabetes and obesity, such as bariatric surgery, physical barriers, duodenal mucosae resurfacing devices, and laser devices, suffer from limitations like side effects, uncontrolled thermal damage, lack of real-time visibility, and non-homogeneous energy delivery, making them impractical or risky.

Innovation Solution

A medical apparatus with a longitudinal sheath and positioning element that can change configurations to center and support a treatment device, ensuring precise ablation and resurfacing of internal cavity walls, using a deformable element to maintain the treatment device in a central region of the cavity, allowing for real-time visibility and homogeneous energy delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a laser is used to ablate tissue, then precise ablation is achieved, but carbonized tissue adheres to the laser probe blocking further ablation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation precisionVSAvoidcarbonized tissue adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the harmful carbonized tissue from the laser probe surface by introducing a saline solution flow that washes away the carbonized debris, preventing it from blocking further ablation and allowing continuous precise laser treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces saline solution as an intermediary substance between the laser probe and the tissue, which serves to cool the probe, prevent carbonized tissue adhesion, and facilitate continuous ablation by washing away debris

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high power laser is used for ablation, then ablation speed increases, but carbonization and adhesion worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation speedVSAvoidcarbonization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuous ablation by introducing a saline solution flow that continuously removes carbonized debris and cools the probe, preventing interruptions and maintaining high ablation speed throughout the procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal parameters by introducing cooled saline solution that absorbs excess heat, preventing excessive carbonization while maintaining high power laser settings for fast ablation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If laser probe is held stationary against tissue, then stable ablation is achieved, but carbonized tissue blocks the probe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation stabilityVSAvoidprobe blocking
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the blocking carbonized tissue from the probe-tissue interface by introducing a saline solution flow that washes away debris, maintaining stable probe positioning and continuous ablation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces saline solution as an intermediary that flows between the stationary probe and tissue, preventing carbonized adhesion and maintaining stable ablation conditions throughout the procedure

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

Enables reliable and precise ablation and resurfacing of gastrointestinal tissues with real-time visibility, reducing side effects and ensuring uniform treatment, thereby addressing the limitations of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

Ablation using a laser refers to a method of removing a target substance by vaporizing or fragmenting the substance using light energy from a laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

removing a target substance by vaporizing or fragmenting the substance using light energy from a laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The laser probe is supplied with saline solution for cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

fragmenting the substance using light energy from a laser, with or without ultrasonic vibration of the laser probe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4440462B1Ablating apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ALLEIMA KARLSRUHE GMBH
  • EP4440462B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP4440462B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4440462B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

Medical apparatus (1) for supporting and centering a treatment device (2) treating the internal walls (3) of a longitudinal cavity (4), in particular a human cavity, the apparatus (1) comprising a longitudinal sheath (5) insertable in a working channel (6) of an endoscopic device (7); and a positioning element (8) comprising a first end (9) connectable to the longitudinal sheath (5) and having a central channel (14) as well as a first guiding through-hole (12), a second end (10) configured to be movable from first end (9) and from the longitudinal sheath (5) and having a second guiding through-hole (13), and a deformable element (11) fixable to at least the second end (10); wherein in a first configuration, or retracted configuration, the second end (10) of the positioning element (8) is at a first distance (d1) from the longitudinal sheath (5), the first guiding through-hole (12) and the second guiding through-hole (13) being aligned for receiving the treatment device (2) and the deformable element (11) is completely compressed in the direction of the longitudinal sheath (5), and in a second configuration, or expanded configuration, the second end (10) of the positioning element (8) is spaced apart from the longitudinal sheath (5) at a second distance (d2), wherein the first distance (d1) is different from the second distance (d2) and the deformable element (11) is radially expanded, thereby touching, at least partially, the internal walls (3) of the cavity (4) so that the first guiding through-hole (12) and the second guiding through-hole (13) are moved away from the internal walls (3) of the cavity (4) and the treatment device (2), when inserted into the first guiding through-hole (12) and the second guiding through-hole (13), is moved towards a central region of the cavity (4) and is maintained in said position during the treatment.