Energy Emitting Elements for Minimally Invasive Tissue Apposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical methods for weight loss, such as gastric bypass, are invasive and associated with significant morbidity and long-term complications, necessitating the development of minimally invasive interventions that can effectively reduce body cavity volume and function to promote weight loss while minimizing risks.

Innovation Solution

Endoscopic tissue apposition devices are used to suture gastrointestinal tissue, reducing the stomach's volume or function by approximating opposing tissue walls with sutures, fixation agents, or ablation to limit food intake and promote weight loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional surgical methods like gastric bypass are used, then weight loss effectiveness is improved, but morbidity and long-term complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight loss effectivenessVSAvoidmorbidity and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical interventions (incisions, stapling, anastomosis) with energy-based tissue modification. Electrosurgical elements and ablation mechanisms modify gastric tissue to reduce volume and function without requiring open or laparoscopic surgical access, thereby achieving weight loss effectiveness while minimizing surgical morbidity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an endoscope as an intermediary device that delivers energy-emitting elements directly to the gastric tissue. This intermediary approach allows for precise, minimally invasive tissue modification through natural body orifices, avoiding the need for external surgical incisions and reducing associated complications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If open gastric bypass surgery is performed, then weight loss is achieved, but adhesion formation and small bowel obstructions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight lossVSAvoidadhesion formation and bowel obstructions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical tissue handling and suturing with energy-based tissue sealing and modification. Electrosurgical elements coagulate and seal tissue layers during the procedure, preventing adhesion formation between bowel loops and reducing the risk of postoperative small bowel obstructions while maintaining weight loss effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If laparoscopic gastric bypass is performed, then morbidity is reduced compared to open surgery, but incisional hernias increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemorbidity reductionVSAvoidincisional hernias

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the endoscope as an intermediary to deliver therapeutic energy directly to the gastric tissue through natural orifices or minimal access points. This eliminates the need for multiple laparoscopic port incisions, thereby reducing morbidity while avoiding the creation of potential hernia sites that accompany laparoscopic surgical approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If minimally invasive endoscopic methods are used, then morbidity and risks are reduced, but ability to effectively reduce body cavity volume may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduced morbidity and risksVSAvoidbody cavity volume reduction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs energy-emitting elements that deliver controlled thermal energy to gastric tissue, inducing coagulation, shrinkage, and volume reduction. By adjusting energy parameters (power, duration, distribution), the system effectively reduces gastric cavity volume and function through minimally invasive means, matching or exceeding the effectiveness of traditional surgery with far lower morbidity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method allows for minimally invasive weight loss with reduced risk of complications, achieving significant weight reduction and improving associated health conditions without the long-term risks of traditional surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

one or more energy emitting members or components, wherein the one or more energy emitting members or components are adapted to apply energy to tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy emission: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9005220B2Suturing devices and methods with energy emitting elements

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 CR BARD INC

AI summary

A device and method of promoting tissue adhesion to reinforce tissue apposition that may include collecting advancing a tissue apposition device to a body cavity having cavity calls, collecting tissue from the cavity walls, passing at least one tissue securement device through the tissue, applying energy to the collected tissue to produce injury to the tissue, and apposing the collected tissue and securing the one or more tissue securement devices. In this illustrative embodiment, the device and method promotes tissue adhesion between one or more portions of tissue, wherein the tissue adhesion may reinforce a tissue apposition.