Expandable Endoscopic Plug for Water-Tight Cavity Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic procedures using water inflation face challenges due to water leakage, which interferes with the procedure and requires cleanup, unlike gas insufflation where some leakage is expected and manageable.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional endoscopic plug with an inflatable or expandable portion at the distal end is used to create a sealed environment within the body cavity, featuring a base pad for external sealing, a shaft for insertion, and an expandable portion to securely seal the plug inside the cavity, along with controlled fluid and tool passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If water is used for insufflation in endoscopic procedures, then image magnification and reduced cavity distention are achieved, but water leakage occurs causing interference with the procedure and requiring cleanup
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is divided into multiple functional segments: a base pad for external sealing, a shaft for insertion, and a separate expandable portion for internal sealing within the body cavity. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific sealing function effectively, preventing water leakage while maintaining the benefits of water insufflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable portion is prepared in a collapsed state for insertion and then expanded after positioning within the body cavity. This preliminary action allows the plug to be inserted through the opening and then securely sealed in place before the endoscopic procedure begins, preventing water leakage during the procedure.
2Reliability
If a seal is created between the body cavity opening and external environment, then water leakage is prevented, but the complexity of the device increases with multiple sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The plug combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated device that includes both a base pad for external sealing and an expandable portion for internal sealing. This merging approach provides reliable sealing without requiring multiple separate devices, thus maintaining reasonable device complexity while achieving high sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug serves multiple functions: it creates a seal between the body cavity and external environment, prevents water leakage, and maintains the benefits of water insufflation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate devices, balancing sealing effectiveness with device complexity.
3Reliability
If an expandable portion is added to securely seal the plug within the body cavity, then water leakage is prevented, but the device complexity and insertion difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable portion transitions from a collapsed state during insertion to an expanded state after positioning. This dynamic design allows the plug to be inserted easily in a compact form and then securely sealed by expanding within the body cavity, balancing insertion ease with sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable portion changes its physical parameters (volume and shape) from a collapsed state during insertion to an expanded state for sealing. This parameter change enables easy insertion followed by secure sealing, resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and sealing effectiveness.
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 plug effectively prevents liquid leakage during endoscopic procedures, maintaining a controlled environment for better visibility and tool operation, enhancing procedural efficiency and reducing cleanup needs.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable portion positioned at the distal end of the endoscopic plug, wherein the expandable portion is configured to expand into an expanded position to securely seal the plug within a body cavity
Implementation Method 2
a base pad located at a proximal end of the endoscopic plug and configured for positioning adjacent a body cavity opening, wherein the base pad is configured to create a seal between the body cavity opening and an external environment
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and devices for performing an endoscopic procedure are provided herein, including an endoscopic plug designed to create a sealed environment within a body cavity using an internal expandable portion which maintains a collapsed configuration during an insertion process or removal process, but which can be expanded upon insertion into the body cavity to secure an internal portion of the endoscopic plug within the body cavity while creating a seal to prevent leakage of gas or fluid out of the body cavity during the endoscopic procedure.