Endoscopic Suturing Device for Natural Orifice Gastric Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical procedures for morbid obesity, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, are invasive and time-consuming, requiring significant operative time and post-operative recovery, with a need for more efficient and less invasive methods for gastric reduction surgery.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic suturing device that can switch between a low profile orientation for insertion and a deployed orientation for suturing, equipped with a suture housing, needle, and drive assembly, allowing for continuous suture application and attachment to an endoscope for minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional RYGB procedure is used, then gastric bypass can be performed, but operative time is lengthy and post-operative recovery is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperative timeVSAvoidpost-operative recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical procedure is divided into distinct phases: insertion of the endoscopic device through the natural orifice, deployment of the suturing apparatus at the target gastric site, performance of the gastric reduction, and withdrawal of the device. This segmentation allows for a minimally invasive approach that reduces both operative and recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An endoscopic device serves as an intermediary tool that enables the surgical team to perform gastric reduction procedures without requiring large incisions. The device transmits suturing instruments through the natural orifice to the target site, eliminating the need for extensive external access and thereby reducing trauma and recovery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If invasive surgical procedures are used for gastric reduction, then effective weight loss can be achieved, but patient trauma and recovery pain are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegastric reduction effectivenessVSAvoidpatient trauma and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical open surgical access with an endoscopic approach. Instead of making large incisions to access the stomach, the system uses an endoscope with integrated suturing capabilities that can perform gastric reduction through a natural orifice, significantly reducing mechanical trauma to the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscopic device utilizes flexible components that can navigate through the natural orifice and reach the target gastric site. The flexibility of the endoscopic shaft and integrated suturing apparatus allows for minimally invasive access while maintaining the ability to perform effective gastric reduction surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If suturing apparatus is inserted through natural orifice, then minimally invasive procedure is achieved, but instrument profile must be reduced for insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive insertionVSAvoidinstrument profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The suturing apparatus is nested within the endoscopic device, allowing the entire assembly to pass through the natural orifice in a compact configuration. The suturing instruments are contained within the endoscope's working channel or attached in a collapsed state, enabling minimally invasive insertion while maintaining full surgical functionality once deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument transitions from a low-profile configuration during insertion to a deployed configuration at the target site. The endoscopic device and attached suturing apparatus are designed to be compact for passage through the natural orifice, then expanded or deployed to provide the necessary working space and functionality for gastric reduction surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8118820B2Method for instrument insertion through a body orifice

Publication Date: 2012.02.21 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC

AI summary

A method for inserting an instrument through a natural orifice. The instrument has a low profile orientation and a deployed orientation which is larger than the size of the natural orifice through which it is to be inserted. The method is achieved by coupling the instrument to an endoscope and placing the instrument in its low profile orientation, inserting the endoscope and the instrument through a natural orifice to a target position within a body while the instrument is in its low profile orientation, actuating the instrument to it is deployed orientation, and returning the instrument to its low profile orientation and withdrawing the instrument from the body through the natural orifice.