Endoscopic Tether Traction for Precise Tissue Dissection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic tissue resection/dissection procedures face challenges in maintaining accurate traction and efficiency during tissue dissection, particularly in retracting and immobilizing target tissues for biopsy or manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A tethered system comprising a cap attachable to an endoscope with guides and filaments that extend along its outer surface, allowing medical devices to engage and manipulate target tissues, with handles to control tension and release, enabling precise traction and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tethered system with filaments and guides is used to maintain tissue traction, then the accuracy and efficiency of tissue dissection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs nested structures where the cap is attachable to the distal end of the endoscope, the lumen is coextensive with the working channel, and multiple filaments are routed through guides and flexible elongate shafts. This nesting allows multiple functional components to be integrated in a compact configuration, providing accurate tissue traction while managing system complexity through organized integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as the cap, guides, and flexible elongate shafts that mediate between the endoscope and the tissue manipulation devices. These intermediaries facilitate precise filament routing and tension control, enabling accurate tissue dissection while distributing system complexity across multiple specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guides and filaments are attached to the cap to enable tissue manipulation, then the versatility of the endoscopic procedure is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap serves as a universal mounting platform with multiple guides that can accommodate various filaments and endoscopic instruments. This multi-functional design allows the same cap structure to support different tissue manipulation techniques and devices, enhancing procedural versatility. The lumen coextensive with the working channel provides a universal pathway for instrument deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments functionality into distinct modular components: the cap as a mounting platform, multiple guides for different filaments, flexible elongate shafts for navigation, and separate handling mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall versatility through their coordinated integration.
3Productivity
If filaments extend along the outer surface of the endoscope and through guides to retrieve dissected tissue, then the productivity of the procedure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap and guides are pre-configured with filament routing paths before the procedure begins. The lumen is made coextensive with the working channel to establish a predetermined pathway. This preliminary configuration enables rapid tissue retrieval during the procedure without requiring complex real-time routing decisions, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through pre-planned pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible elongate shafts provide continuous, smooth pathways for filaments to extend from the guides along the outer surface of the endoscope. This continuous routing eliminates discrete connection points and sharp angles that would complicate the system, enabling uninterrupted tissue retrieval operations and maintaining productivity without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to traction systems, and methods of use thereof, for endoscopic procedures such as tissue dissection. For example, a traction system may include a filament extendable along an outer surface of an endoscope with a distal end of the filament attachable to a medical device engaged with a target tissue of a body lumen.