Expandable Bronchoscope Working Channel for Distal Airway Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited diameter of bronchoscope working channels restricts the size of tools and tissue samples that can be used in medical procedures, requiring repetitive device passage and sampling, and limits access to distal airways due to the size constraint, which can cause procedural inefficiency and tissue trauma.
Innovation Solution
A locatable, radially expandable working channel probe made of biologically friendly materials like polyamide or silicone, which can be deployed through a standard bronchoscope and expand within the body lumen to accommodate larger tools and samples, equipped with an anchoring mechanism and navigation system for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a standard bronchoscope working channel is used, then the procedure is noninvasive and risk is decreased, but the diameter is limited to 2.8 mm which restricts tool size and requires repetitive device passage
Solution Approach 1:
The working channel is designed to be dynamically changeable in diameter. It starts as a narrow catheter (less than 2.8 mm) that can pass through the bronchoscope, then expands radially at the distal end to provide a large lumen for tools and tissue samples. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between maintaining small initial size for noninvasive access and providing large size for versatile tool usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The working channel is segmented into distinct functional zones: a proximal delivery catheter portion that navigates through the bronchoscope, an expansion mechanism in the middle, and a distal expanded working channel portion that provides the large lumen. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are passed through the limited working channel sequentially, then device size is constrained, but procedural time increases and bronchoscope migration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic expansion of the working channel allows multiple large devices to be passed simultaneously through the expanded lumen without requiring sequential passage through a narrow channel. This eliminates the time loss associated with repeated device insertion and retraction, while also preventing bronchoscope migration by maintaining stable device positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a small biopsy device is used through the limited EWC, then the EWC diameter is constrained to less than 2.8 mm, but tissue sample size becomes very small requiring repeated sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable working channel provides a large expanded diameter that accommodates large-bore biopsy devices capable of obtaining substantial tissue samples in a single pass. This eliminates the need for repeated sampling procedures, significantly improving productivity while obtaining adequate tissue for diagnosis.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a large device is advanced through distal airways, then tool size can be increased, but axial pressure on airways causes tissue trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The working channel expands radially (in the radial dimension) rather than requiring longitudinal advancement of a large device through narrow airways. This dimensional change allows large tools to be accessed through the expanded channel lumen without imposing axial pressure on the airway walls, thereby preventing tissue trauma while maintaining access to distal locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The working channel is constructed with flexible materials that can radially expand to accommodate large tools while conforming to the airway lumen. This flexibility allows the channel to adapt to the airway geometry without imposing rigid axial forces that would cause trauma, while still providing a large passage for instrument access.
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
Enables simultaneous passage of multiple larger tools and extraction of larger tissue samples while maintaining precise navigation and reducing procedural time and tissue trauma by expanding beyond the bronchoscope's reach, enhancing the effectiveness of medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A locatable, radially expandable working channel probe made of biologically friendly materials like polyamide or silicone, which can be deployed through a standard bronchoscope and expand within the body lumen
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device is provided for accessing a target location within a branched network. The device may be passed through the working channel of a standard endoscope and includes a three-dimensional location sensor at its distal tip and an expandable extended working channel. The device has a very thin body proximal of the distal sensor such that, once the sensor is extended outside of the working channel of the endoscope, nearly all of the working channel may be used to pass tools through the extended working channel of the device.