Deflectable ENT Guide Shaft With Integrated Endoscope Cap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ENT procedures face challenges in providing controlled placement and navigation of dilation catheters and ablation instruments within anatomical passageways, especially in procedures requiring precise visualization and navigation without direct endoscopic view, and existing systems lack efficient solutions for single-operator use.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ENT guide shaft with a deflectable tip and a distal endoscope cap that integrates navigation sensors, cameras, and irrigation capabilities, allowing for real-time visualization and navigation within anatomical passageways, enabling precise placement and operation of instruments while minimizing space competition in small anatomical spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a separate endoscope is used for visualization during ENT procedures, then real-time visualization is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the endoscope cap with the guide shaft to create an integrated visualization system. The endoscope cap is selectively attachable to the distal end of the guide shaft, merging the functions of instrument guidance and visual inspection into a single integrated system, thereby reducing the need for separate endoscope equipment while maintaining real-time visualization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope cap serves multiple functions: it provides visualization through the endoscope, protects the distal end of the guide shaft, and can be selectively attached or removed based on procedural needs. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated endoscope systems, reducing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used for dilation and ablation, then procedural capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to coordination difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The guide shaft integrates multiple functional capabilities including dilation catheter guidance, ablation instrument positioning, and navigation sensor integration. By combining these functions into a single guide shaft system, the patent enables one operator to control all instruments through a unified platform, eliminating the coordination difficulties associated with managing multiple separate instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The guide shaft is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various instruments including dilation catheters, ablation instruments, and navigation sensors. This multi-functional design allows a single operator to perform multiple procedures (dilation, ablation, visualization) using one integrated system rather than coordinating multiple separate instruments
3Measurement precision
If navigation sensors are integrated into the guide shaft, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation sensors are integrated directly into the guide shaft structure, merging the positioning measurement function with the instrument guidance function. This integration allows real-time tracking of instrument location and orientation with high precision while maintaining a streamlined single-unit design rather than requiring separate tracking systems
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and a distal endoscope cap. A flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly is laterally deflectable relative to a rigid proximal portion of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a working channel sized and configured to enable advancement of a working element. The distal endoscope cap is configured to attach to the distal end of the shaft assembly. The distal endoscope cap has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the flexible distal portion. The distal endoscope cap includes a body having at least one coupling member for attaching the distal endoscope cap to the distal end of the shaft assembly, at least one image sensor secured to the body for visualizing an anatomical structure, and at least one illuminating element secured to the body for illuminating a field of view of the at least one image sensor.