Endoscopy Device with Inflatable Laryngeal Seal and Guided Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopy procedures face challenges such as the use of local anesthetics and sedatives causing cardiorespiratory complications, potential for infection, perforation, bleeding, discomfort, and difficulties in inserting endoscopes without a guide, which can lead to unsafe and incomplete procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopy device combining an airway tube with a mask and a conduit for safe and guided insertion of an endoscope, featuring an inflatable cuff for sealing around the larynx and a conduit with a reduced width outlet for precise placement, allowing for both airway establishment and protection against regurgitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an endoscope is inserted manually through the mouth into the oesophagus, then the procedure can be performed, but there is a risk of perforation, infection, and cardiorespiratory complications from anesthetics and sedatives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide device as an intermediary tool between the operator and the patient's oesophagus. This guide device provides a controlled path for endoscope insertion, replacing blind manual insertion. The guide device includes a flexible tube with a stylet that can be advanced through the mouth and into the oesophagus under direct visualization, allowing the endoscope to follow the pre-established safe path and avoiding direct contact with vulnerable areas, thereby reducing perforation and infection risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a guide device and visualization path before inserting the endoscope. The guide device is first positioned and secured in the patient's mouth, creating a predetermined safe insertion route. The stylet is then advanced through the guide device to confirm proper positioning and create a tactile guide. Only after this preliminary setup is complete is the endoscope inserted through the established path, ensuring safety before the main diagnostic or therapeutic procedure begins
2Reliability
If an endoscope is inserted quickly under general anaesthesia to minimize airway obstruction, then airway safety is improved, but the procedure time is reduced which may compromise diagnostic quality and increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device serves as an intermediary that simultaneously addresses airway safety and diagnostic quality. By providing a stable, pre-positioned pathway through the mouth and pharynx, the guide device allows the endoscope to be inserted without obstructing the airway, as the guide device itself maintains airway patency. This intermediary structure enables the operator to take the time needed for thorough examination without compromising airway safety, as the guide device remains in place throughout the procedure
3Device complexity
If blind manual insertion of the endoscope is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision and accuracy of endoscope placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device acts as a mediator that translates simple insertion actions into precise endoscope placement. The guide device includes a flexible tube with marked depth indicators and a stylet with tactile feedback features. When the operator inserts the stylet through the guide device, the tactile resistance and depth markings provide immediate feedback on positioning accuracy. The endoscope then follows this precisely positioned path, achieving accurate placement without requiring complex navigation skills or equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device incorporates visual indicators such as colored depth markings on the tube and stylet. These color-coded indicators change or become visible at specific depths corresponding to important anatomical landmarks. As the operator advances the stylet and endoscope, the color changes provide immediate visual feedback on placement accuracy, allowing non-expert operators to achieve precise positioning without complex training or equipment
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
Facilitates safe and accurate insertion of endoscopes, reduces complications, and enables longer procedure times while maintaining patient comfort by providing a stable airway and guiding the endoscope through the oesophagus.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral formation being inflatable and surrounding a hollow interior space or lumen of the mask, the at least one airway tube opening into the lumen
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopy device (1) for facilitating use of an endoscope, comprising at least one airway tube (2) and a mask (3) having a distal end (4), a proximal end (5) and a peripheral formation ξβ) capable of conforming to, and fitting within, the actual and potential space behind the larynx of the patient to form a seal around the circumference of the laryngeal inlet, the peripheral formation (6) establishing separation between a laryngeal; chamber side (3a) and a pharyngeal side (3b), the device further comprising a conduit (8) adapted for passage of an endoscope into the oesophagus of a patient when mask (3) is in place, conduit (8) including a distal end for cooperation with the oesophageal sphincter, the conduit having a laryngeal side (8d), a pharyngeal side (8c), a right side (8e) and a left side (8f), and an outlet wherein at the outlet the width between the left side and the right side is smaller than the width of the conduit.