Expandable Endoscopic Closure Cap for Wider Tissue Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic closure devices, such as over the scope clips (OTSC) and ligation bands, obstruct the field of view of the endoscopic vision system, making it difficult to confirm proper tissue capture before deployment, often requiring relocation or removal of improperly deployed clips or bands.
Innovation Solution
An expandable and/or extendable cap for endoscopic devices that includes a flexible proximal portion with reflective and transparent regions, allowing enhanced visualization by increasing the field of view and separating the captured tissue from the camera lens, and a mechanism to deploy closure devices like clips or bands while maintaining visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cap is used for endoscopic closure devices, then the device can effectively capture tissue, but the field of view is obstructed making it difficult to visualize target tissue and confirm proper capture
Solution Approach 1:
The cap transitions from a collapsed state during delivery to an expanded state at the target site. This dynamic transformation allows the cap to maintain a compact profile during insertion while providing an enlarged working volume and improved field of view during tissue capture and deployment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The cap expands radially outward from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, utilizing the third dimension (radial expansion) to increase working volume and field of view without increasing the longitudinal profile during delivery. This dimensional transformation resolves the conflict between compact delivery and expanded functionality
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the cap is expanded to provide greater field of view, then visualization is improved, but the distance between the camera and target tissue increases potentially reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates transparent or translucent windows in specific locations to provide localized views of the target tissue and deployment area. These strategic viewing ports maintain close proximity to the target while allowing optical access, thus preserving measurement precision while expanding overall field of view
3Ease of operation
If a rigid cap structure is used to maintain shape, then deployment control is improved, but the cap cannot be collapsed for delivery through the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The cap employs a flexible yet structurally supportive material that allows collapse during delivery but maintains adequate rigidity when expanded to provide deployment control. The material properties and structural design enable the cap to transition from a flexible collapsed state to a more rigid expanded state, resolving the contradiction between deliverability and operational control
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
Enhances visualization of surrounding tissue during tissue capture, ensuring proper placement of closure devices by providing a clear field of view and facilitating controlled deployment.
Implementation Method 1
An inner surface of the first region is reflective and, based on the angle and reflectivity of the first region, an endoscopic camera on the distal face of the endoscope is provided an increased field of view in the expanded state relative to the collapsed state
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a closure device includes a cap with a distal portion having a recess to receive tissue and a proximal portion fitting over a face of an endoscope. The proximal portion includes fold(s) between a first region and a first end of a second region. The cap expands from a collapsed state in which an angle of the first region relative to a longitudinal axis of the endoscope is at a minimum to an expanded state in which the angle is increased. Based on the angle and reflectivity of the first region, an endoscopic camera on the face is provided an increased field of view in the expanded state relative to the collapsed state. The device captures tissue when the cap is in the expanded state via an actuation mechanism extending through a channel of the endoscope into the distal portion.