Radially Expandable Clamp for Endoscope Ancillary Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching ancillary devices to endoscopes often result in the devices moving during insertion through tortuous pathways, affecting control and maintaining the desired field of view, limiting the surgeon's ability to manage multiple devices due to size constraints and stiffness issues with larger channel endoscopes.
Innovation Solution
A radially expandable clamp with axial segments and a coiled configuration that maintains ancillary devices in a fixed radial position relative to the endoscope while allowing axial sliding, preventing radial movement and twisting, and facilitating secure attachment through friction or slip fits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ancillary devices are attached to endoscopes using conventional bonding or clamping methods, then the devices can be positioned alongside the endoscope, but the devices tend to move during insertion through tortuous pathways, affecting control and field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with radially expandable segments that can dynamically adjust their configuration. During insertion, the segments remain expanded to allow axial sliding and coordinated movement through tortuous pathways. Once positioned, the segments can be collapsed to lock the ancillary device in a fixed radial position, preventing movement while maintaining insertion flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is divided into multiple radially expandable segments that can independently engage with the endoscope and ancillary device. This segmentation allows each segment to adapt to the curved configuration of the endoscope while maintaining overall attachment stability. The segments can expand radially to accommodate the devices yet permit axial movement, resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large diameter endoscopes with multiple working channels are used to accommodate multiple accessory devices, then the capability to pass large accessories and suction blood clots is improved, but the endoscope becomes relatively expensive and has an outer diameter that makes it stiff and difficult to intubate
Solution Approach 1:
The radially expandable clamp serves multiple functions: it attaches ancillary devices to the endoscope, allows axial sliding for coordinated movement through tortuous pathways, and locks in fixed radial positions to prevent device movement. This multi-functional attachment mechanism eliminates the need for specialized large-diameter endoscopes, as the same thin endoscope can accommodate multiple accessory devices through the clamp system.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the attachment capability from the endoscope's internal structure (working channels) to an external attachment mechanism (radially expandable clamp). By attaching ancillary devices radially alongside the endoscope rather than through internal channels, the system bypasses the limitation of endoscope diameter, allowing multiple devices to be attached without increasing the endoscope's outer diameter or stiffness.
3Reliability
If ancillary devices are rigidly fixed to endoscopes, then the devices remain in a fixed position relative to the endoscope, but the devices cannot move in coordination with the endoscope through tortuous pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions between two dynamic states: an expanded state during insertion that allows axial sliding and coordinated movement, and a collapsed state during operation that locks the ancillary device in a fixed radial position. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both movement flexibility and position stability at different stages of the procedure.
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
The solution ensures stable and controlled attachment of ancillary devices to endoscopes, allowing for coordinated movement through tortuous pathways without compromising the imaging field, addressing size limitations and stiffness issues of larger channel endoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
The attachment device can include a coating disposed on at least a portion of an internal surface of the attachment device to prevent slippage between the attachment device and an endoscope and/or ancillary device extending therethrough
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for attaching one or more ancillary devices to an endoscope. The ancillary device can be any device that is used in conjunction with endoscopic procedures, such as, by way of non-limiting example, an accessory channel, tube, or sleeve, an indwelling tube or feeding tube, and surgical tools such as graspers, snares, etc. The ancillary device(s) can be positioned adjacent to and along side an external surface of an insertion portion of an endoscope for inserting into a body lumen, and one or more attachment devices can be used to mate the ancillary device(s) to the endoscope at one or more attachment locations. In use, the attachment device(s) will allow the ancillary device to move in coordination with the endoscope, thus allowing the endoscope and the ancillary device(s) to be introduced and guided through a tortuous pathway. In certain exemplary embodiments, the attachment device(s) can be configured to prevent radial movement, i.e., twisting, of the ancillary device relative to the endoscope, yet allow axial sliding of the ancillary device relative to the endoscope.