Endoscopic Clamp for Stomach Wall Apposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bariatric procedures for reducing stomach volume are invasive, costly, and require hospitalization, with higher risks and longer recovery times, while existing endoscopic devices fail to effectively reduce stomach volume without stitching or using non-recoverable structures.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic implantable device with a flexible tube and hinged halves featuring suction nozzles and grabbing teeth, which creates a vacuum to attract stomach walls, reducing internal volume without surgery, and can be left in the stomach or removed when weight loss goals are achieved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bariatric surgery procedures (Roux-en-Y or gastric banding) are used to reduce stomach volume, then effective weight loss is achieved, but the procedures are invasive, require hospitalization, and have longer recovery times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of weight lossVSAvoidinvasiveness and recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional surgical mechanical procedures (incisions, stapling, banding) with an endoscopic delivery system that uses a collapsible clamp-like device delivered through the esophagus. The device is opened inside the stomach using radial expansion forces, allowing apposition of gastric walls without external incisions or complex surgical mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp-like device is designed in a collapsible state that allows it to be nested within the endoscopic delivery system. The device transitions from a compressed deliverable state to an expanded functional state once deployed inside the stomach, enabling minimally invasive delivery of what would otherwise be a large surgical instrument.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If existing endoscopic devices are used to reduce stomach volume, then the procedure is less invasive, but they fail to effectively reduce stomach volume without stitching or use non-recoverable structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive procedureVSAvoideffectiveness of volume reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp-like device is divided into two complementary halves that can independently grasp opposite gastric walls. Each half contains engagement structures (such as barbs, teeth, or friction surfaces) that provide secure attachment to the tissue. This segmentation allows the device to achieve effective volume reduction through apposition of two separate tissue surfaces without requiring stitching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a single-use, non-recoverable implant that performs its function of reducing stomach volume and then is discarded. This approach eliminates the need for complex retrieval mechanisms or long-term durability features, allowing optimization for single-procedure effectiveness while maintaining minimal invasiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a clamp-like device with engagement structures is used to appose stomach walls, then effective volume reduction is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of wall appositionVSAvoidstructure of clamp-like device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp-like device features a dynamic structure that transitions from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded apposition configuration. The two halves can move relative to each other, allowing the device to adapt to the geometry of the stomach walls while maintaining engagement. This dynamic design achieves effective apposition without requiring a permanently complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device allows for a minimally invasive procedure that reduces stomach volume quickly and safely, with the option to absorb or remove the device, reducing patient risk and recovery time, and is economical to produce and use.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pump connected to said endoscopic tube so as to create a vacuum through said vacuum channel so as to create a vacuum at said distal end of said endoscopic tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS9393143B1Endoscopic implantable clamp-like device for the apposition of the stomach walls for reducing the stomach internal volume in a weight loss surgery procedure

Publication Date: 2016.07.19 FOGEL ROBERTO

AI summary

An implantable endoscopic apparatus for apposition to a wall of a stomach has an elongated endoscopic tube, a vacuum pump connected to the tube, a body releasably affixed to the distal end of the tube, and an actuator cooperative with the body so as to open and close the body. The body has suction nozzles formed on a wall of the body and has grabbing teeth formed along edge of the body. The halves of the body can open so as to expose the suction nozzles to the stomach wall. The halves of the body can close such that the grabbing teeth grasp the stomach wall so as to reduce stomach volume.