Endoscopic Tool Suction Stabilization for Submucosal Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscopic methods for injecting fluids into the submucosal tissue layer are prone to inaccuracies, as they require precise skill to avoid injecting into the muscle layer or other incorrect locations, potentially causing bleeding and reducing the efficacy of the injection, and often involve exposed needles that can inadvertently pierce tissue.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic tool with a first cannula featuring a suction surface and suction lumen, coupled with a second cannula carrying a needle, uses negative pressure to draw the mucosal layer into contact with the suction surface, stabilizing the tissue and allowing precise injection of fluids into the submucosal layer without exposing the needle until it reaches the target area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a needle is exposed during injection, then the injection can be performed, but the needle may inadvertently pierce tissue causing bleeding and lengthening the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection capabilityVSAvoidinadvertent tissue piercing and bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is nested within the second cannula, which itself is disposed within the first cannula. The needle remains concealed within the second cannula until the distal end reaches the target submucosal tissue, at which point the needle can be advanced through the tissue. This nested configuration prevents inadvertent tissue piercing during insertion and navigation through the gastrointestinal tract.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If fluid is injected into the submucosal layer, then the marking or treatment is achieved, but precise skill is required to avoid injecting into the muscle layer or incorrect locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection accuracyVSAvoidskill and attention required

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first cannula with suction surface acts as an intermediary device that captures and stabilizes the submucosal tissue before needle insertion. The suction surface draws the tissue into contact with the distal end of the first cannula, creating a stable platform that guides the needle to the correct depth and location in the submucosal layer, reducing the skill required for precise injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction surface performs a preliminary action by capturing and stabilizing the submucosal tissue before the needle injection occurs. This preliminary stabilization of the tissue ensures that when the needle is subsequently advanced, it will accurately reach the intended submucosal target without requiring high levels of operator skill.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the needle is injected into the correct submucosal layer, then the fluid injection is effective, but it requires precise control to avoid incorrect placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection effectivenessVSAvoidneedle placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The first cannula with its suction surface serves as a mediator that physically captures and holds the submucosal tissue in a stable position. This intermediary structure provides a reference plane that ensures the needle, when advanced through the stabilized tissue, will reach the correct depth and location in the submucosal layer, improving both reliability and placement accuracy.

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

This solution enhances the precision and safety of fluid injection into the submucosal layer, reducing the risk of incorrect placement and bleeding, while maintaining control over needle insertion, ensuring accurate marking or treatment delivery.

Implementation Method 1

A suction source coupled to the first cannula creates a negative pressure within the suction lumen to draw the mucosal layer of tissue into contact with the suction surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3758629B1Endoscopic tool with suction for facilitating injection of a fluid into a submucosal layer of tissue

Publication Date: 2023.10.25 GI SUPPLY INC

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AI summary

An endoscopic tool (100) for facilitating injection of fluid (121) into a submucosal layer of tissue includes a first cannula (124), a suction source (128), a fluid lumen (132), and a second cannula (136). The first cannula (124) has a suction surface (144) disposed at a distal end (146), and defines a suction lumen (148). The suction source (128) is coupled to the first cannula (124) and creates a negative pressure within the suction lumen (148). The second cannula (136) is disposed in a fluid lumen (132) separate from the suction lumen (148), is adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid (138), and carries a needle (140) at a distal end (139) thereof. The tool (100) draws the mucosal layer via the suction, which enlarges the submucosal layer, and injects a fluid into the enlarged portion of the submucosal layer via the needle (140), thereby creating a raised portion of tissue around the injection site.