Expandable Sensor Prongs for Endoscopic Fluid-Flow Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic procedures face challenges in detecting and verifying the effectiveness of treatments for blood vessels, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract, as current methods require separate tools for detection and treatment, making it difficult to confirm treatment success.
Innovation Solution
A detection device with a sensor array of prongs, each equipped with sensors, is integrated or fitted over an endoscope, allowing simultaneous detection and treatment by transitioning between contracted and expanded configurations to visualize and confirm treatment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate tools are used for detection and treatment, then device complexity is reduced, but treatment verification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (detection, treatment, and verification) into a single integrated device. The detection device includes both sensors for detecting fluid flow and treatment capabilities, allowing simultaneous or sequential performance of detection and treatment functions without requiring separate tools, thereby resolving the contradiction between device complexity and treatment verification capability.
2Measurement precision
If detection device is expanded to detect multiple parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is segmented into multiple independent prongs, each equipped with its own sensor for detecting fluid flow parameters. This segmentation allows each sensor to specialize in specific measurements, improving overall measurement precision while distributing the complexity across modular components rather than requiring a single complex sensing system.
3Volume of moving object
If prongs are kept in contracted configuration, then device size is reduced, but detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The prongs are designed to be dynamically configurable between contracted and expanded states. During navigation, the prongs remain contracted to minimize device size and facilitate passage through body lumens. Upon reaching the target site, the prongs can be deployed to an expanded configuration to maximize detection capability and sensor proximity to the blood vessels, thus resolving the contradiction between device size and detection capability.
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 simultaneous detection and treatment of blood vessels during endoscopic procedures, providing real-time feedback on treatment effectiveness through sensor indicators, enhancing procedural accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each of the prongs having a sensor configured to detect a flow of fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device may comprise a plurality of prongs, each of the prongs having a sensor configured to detect a flow of fluid; and a sleeve disposed radially outward of the plurality of prongs. The sleeve may be configured to move proximally and distally relative to the plurality of prongs to transition the plurality of prongs from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration.