Expandable Catheter Cage for Minimally Invasive Working Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive procedures face challenges in optimally expanding the working space within body lumens, as existing technologies fail to effectively maintain an expanded space adjacent to target tissues, which can collapse, hindering instrument maneuverability and visualization.
Innovation Solution
A flexible catheter system with multiple lumens and expandable support elements that shift between delivery and expanded configurations, forming a cage-like structure to reshape the body lumen and create a stable working space, allowing for independent manipulation of instruments and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing technologies are used to expand working space in body lumens, then some expansion is achieved, but the expanded space cannot be effectively maintained and tissues collapse, hindering instrument maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple discrete support elements (struts) that can independently expand and stabilize the working space. These segmented elements form a cage-like structure that prevents tissue collapse while allowing instrument maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are designed to be dynamically deployable, transitioning from a compressed delivery state to an expanded working state. This dynamic transformation allows the system to adapt to different procedural needs while maintaining stable working space during the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the body lumen is expanded to create working space, then instrument maneuverability is improved, but tissue damage increases due to the expansion process
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system employs a flexible delivery sheath that can be advanced through tortuous body lumens with minimal trauma. The flexible nature of the delivery system reduces mechanical stress on surrounding tissues during insertion and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary counter-actions to prevent tissue damage by using a compliant delivery system that conforms to the body lumen geometry, and by deploying support elements that gently reshape rather than forcibly expand the working space, minimizing traumatic effects on adjacent tissues.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain working space, then stability is improved, but access to target tissues is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple adjustable struts that can be independently positioned to create stable working space while leaving adequate room for instrument access. The segmented design allows flexibility in configuring the working space geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements extend radially outward from the catheter axis, creating stability in the radial dimension while maintaining longitudinal access for instruments. This dimensional arrangement provides both working space stability and instrument accessibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are introduced through the catheter, then procedural capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is designed with multiple lumens and tool channels that can accommodate various working instruments, making the system universally applicable to different procedural needs. The same catheter platform supports multiple instruments for tissue manipulation, retraction, and treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple tool channels are nested within the catheter structure, with each channel capable of receiving different instruments. This nested configuration allows multiple instruments to be delivered through a single catheter entry point, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a body lumen may include a flexible catheter having a plurality of lumens including a main lumen configured to receive an endoscope and at least one tool lumen; a first working instrument slidably disposed within a first tool lumen of the at least one tool lumen; a plurality of support elements disposed at a distal end of the catheter, the plurality of support elements being configured to shift between delivery and expanded configurations, wherein in the expanded configuration, the plurality of support elements forms an expanded cage to reshape the body lumen and form a working space; wherein at least one of the plurality of support elements is a tubular shaft having an opening proximate the working space; and a filament extending through the tubular shaft to a clip disposed outside the opening, the clip being manipulatable by the first working instrument.