Endoscopic Traction Filaments for Precise Tissue Dissection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic tissue resection/dissection procedures face challenges in maintaining accurate traction of target tissues for efficient dissection and retrieval, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, as current tethered systems are cumbersome and lack efficient mechanisms for manipulating tissues.

Innovation Solution

A flexible endoscopic system with a handle-actuated medical device and retractable filaments, allowing for precise engagement and release of tissue clamps or clips, and multiple guides for independent traction control, enabling efficient manipulation and retrieval of target tissues within body lumens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tethered system with filament is used to retract and immobilize target tissue, then tissue traction and control are improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome manual manipulation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue traction controlVSAvoidmanual manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of filaments with an automated motorized system. Motors are integrated into the endoscopic instrument to automatically advance and retract filaments, eliminating the need for manual tether handling while maintaining reliable tissue traction control throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically managing filament deployment and retraction through integrated motors and control mechanisms. The instrument independently handles tissue capture, traction application, and filament retrieval without requiring external manual manipulation, improving both ease of operation and procedural reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple filaments are used for independent traction control, then tissue manipulation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue manipulation precisionVSAvoidmultiple filament system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the filament system into multiple independently controlled segments or filaments, each capable of being advanced or retracted separately through individual motors. This segmentation enables precise independent manipulation of different tissue regions while the modular motorized architecture manages complexity through standardized control units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motorized system provides multi-functionality by using the same basic motor-filament mechanism for multiple purposes: tissue capture, traction application, dissection assistance, and specimen retrieval. This universal approach maintains precision across different functions while avoiding the need for separate complex mechanisms for each task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If manual tethered system is used for tissue resection, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to time-consuming manual manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissection efficiencyVSAvoidmanual manipulation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized system enables periodic or continuous automated action for filament advancement and retraction, eliminating interruptions caused by manual manipulation. This allows steady progress through tissue dissection and specimen retrieval without the time loss associated with repeated manual tether handling, significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated motor system maintains continuous useful action by automatically managing filament tension and positioning throughout the entire procedure. Traction control is sustained without interruption, and filament deployment/retraction occurs continuously as needed, eliminating the gaps and delays inherent in manual tethered systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3982812B1Traction systems for endoscopic procedures
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP3982812B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3982812B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3982812B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

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.