Endoscopic System with Expandable Anchor and Articulated Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical colonoscopy causes discomfort and pain due to the need for forceful manual pushing of the colonoscope through flexural or looping sections of the colon, and existing miniaturized wireless capsules for gastrointestinal tract monitoring are limited by slow navigation and short operational time, unable to perform therapeutic procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic system with a main body and control section, featuring expandable members and actuation control members, allowing for controlled bending and negative pressure application to navigate through the colon without manual force and secure anchoring within the colon, enabling both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If forceful manual pushing of the colonoscope is used to navigate through flexural or looping sections of the colon, then the colonoscope can be inserted, but severe discomfort and pain are caused to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The colonoscope incorporates a bendable section with multiple articulation points that can be dynamically adjusted during insertion. The navigation section can be selectively bent in different directions by actuating control members, allowing the scope to conform to the colon's anatomy without forceful pushing, thereby reducing patient discomfort while maintaining navigability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pushing mechanism with a controlled articulation system. Instead of applying force to advance the colonoscope, the system uses articulated segments that can be independently positioned to navigate flexures and loops, substituting manual force with controlled mechanical articulation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If miniaturized wireless capsules are used for gastrointestinal tract monitoring, then the procedure is less invasive, but navigation is slow and operational time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The colonoscope features a dynamically controllable bendable section that can be actively adjusted during the procedure. This allows the scope to navigate through the colon more efficiently by actively positioning articulation points to follow the colon's path, thereby increasing navigation speed while maintaining the less invasive benefit of miniaturized design
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic actuation of control members to incrementally advance the bendable section through the colon. By periodically adjusting the articulation of different segments, the scope achieves progressive movement through complex anatomical pathways, improving navigation speed without compromising the minimally invasive approach
3Ease of operation
If a bendable navigation section with multiple articulation points is incorporated into the colonoscope, then navigation through flexural sections is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The colonoscope is divided into distinct segments: a rigid insertion section, a bendable navigation section with multiple articulation points, and a distal tip section. Each segment has specific functions, and the bendable section is further divided into controllable segments that can be independently articulated, improving navigation while managing complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The bendable section incorporates nested articulation mechanisms where smaller articulation points are contained within larger structural segments. The actuation control members are routed through the main body and into the bendable section, with control wires or cables nested within the scope's wall structure, reducing external complexity while maintaining internal functionality
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 reduces patient discomfort by eliminating the need for manual force during colonoscopy and allows for efficient navigation and performance of therapeutic procedures within the colon, improving diagnostic capabilities and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first expandable member is configurable to transition between an expanded configuration and a non-expanded configuration... the second expandable member is configurable to transition between an expanded configuration and a non-expanded configuration
Implementation Method 2
the one or more pressure openings configurable to provide a negative pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Endoscopic system include a main body (910), actuation control members (630, 934), navigation section (624, 930), connector assembly (950), and anchor assembly (940). Navigation section (624, 930) includes distal termination points (627a', 627b', 932a", 932a') for receiving actuation control members (630, 934). Navigation section (624, 930) is selectively controllable to bend. Anchor assembly (940) includes first expandable member (944), second expandable member (946), and pressure openings (942). First expandable member (944) transitions between an expanded and non-expanded configuration. Distal side wall (944b) of first expandable member (944) includes first protrusions (944c). Second expandable member (946) transitions between an expanded and non-expanded configuration. Proximal side wall (946a) of second expandable member (946) includes second protrusions (946c). First and second protrusions (944c, 946c) are configurable to cooperatively form a sieve portion (945). Connector assembly (950) includes connector assembly body (954) and connector interface portion (952). Connector assembly body (954) includes proximal termination points (955) to receive actuation control members (630, 934). Connector interface portion (952) includes main port (952a), pressure source ports (952b), and actuation control ports (952c).