Endoscopic System with Extendible Control Section
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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 locomotion and short operational time, unable to perform therapeutic procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic system with an elongated tubular structure and expandable members that can change length and shape to navigate through the colon without manual force, featuring expandable members that secure to the colon wall and a control section with extendible and bendable sections to facilitate smooth navigation 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, then the colonoscope can be inserted, but severe discomfort and pain are caused to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The colonoscope incorporates an extendible section that can dynamically change its length during insertion. When encountering flexural or looping sections, the extendible section extends to provide additional length, allowing the scope to navigate bends without requiring forceful pushing against the colon wall, thereby reducing patient discomfort and pain
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of the colonoscope's length by extending or contracting the extendible section. This parameter change allows the scope to adapt to the anatomical variations in the colon, navigating flexural sections with extended length and reducing the need for manual force that causes patient pain
2Productivity
If the colonoscope is retracted or removed from flexural and looping sections, then the procedure can be completed, but significant discomfort and pain are caused to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
During retraction from flexural or looping sections, the extendible section dynamically contracts to reduce the overall length of the colonoscope. This dynamic length adjustment allows smooth withdrawal without the scope catching on bends or requiring forceful pulling, thereby minimizing patient discomfort and pain during removal
3Object-affected harmful factors
If miniaturized wireless capsules are used for gastrointestinal monitoring, then the procedure is less invasive, but locomotion is slow and operational time is short
Solution Approach 1:
The colonoscope is segmented into a main body and a separate extendible section. This segmentation allows the extendible section to be deployed only when needed for navigation through difficult sections, while the rest of the system remains compact. This resolves the contradiction by providing extended capability without permanently increasing the invasive profile of the device
4Device complexity
If miniaturized wireless capsules are used, then the procedure is simpler, but operational time is limited and therapeutic procedures cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The colonoscope is designed with multi-functionality, combining diagnostic imaging capabilities with therapeutic functions. The extendible section not only aids in navigation but also provides a platform for delivering therapeutic interventions. This universal design allows a single device to perform both simple navigation and complex therapeutic procedures over extended operational periods
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 discomfort during colonoscopy by navigating through bends without forceful pushing and enables both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic procedures, improving the efficiency and completeness of gastrointestinal tract examination.
Implementation Method 1
The first expandable member may be configurable to transition between an expanded configuration and a non-expanded configuration. When the first expandable member is in the expanded configuration, the first expandable member may include a proximal side wall facing towards the first end of the anchor assembly body and a distal side wall facing towards the second end of the anchor assembly body.
Implementation Method 2
one or more of the first protrusions and one or more of the second protrusions cooperate to form a sieve portion between the first and second expandable members. The sieve portion may be configured to reduce an occurrence of solids blocking one or more of the pressure openings while allowing negative pressure to be applied to a body cavity wall through the one or more pressure openings.
Implementation Method 3
The extendible section may include a first end and a second end. The extendible section may be configured to extend and contract to change a length between the first end of the extendible section and the second end of the extendible section.
Implementation Method 4
The navigation section may include a first end and a second end. The navigation section may be configured to enable at least a portion of the navigation section between the first and second ends of the navigation section to be selectively controlled to bend in a plurality of directions and curvatures.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to endoscopic systems. Endoscopic system includes main body and control section. Control section includes extendible section that extends and contracts to change length between extendible section ends. Control section includes first expandable member. When first expandable member is in an expanded configuration, first expandable member includes proximal side wall and distal side wall. Distal side wall of first expandable member includes first protrusions. Control section includes second expandable member. When second expandable member is in an expanded configuration, second expandable member includes distal side wall and proximal side wall. Proximal side wall of second expandable member includes second protrusions. First and second protrusions configurable to cooperate to form a sieve portion between first and second expandable members. The sieve portion configured to reduce an occurrence of solids blocking pressure openings while allowing negative pressure to be applied to a body cavity wall through the pressure openings.