Radially Expandable Fallopian Tube Plug for Hysteroscopic Fluid Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hysteroscopic procedures for uterine fibroid removal face challenges due to fluid leakage through fallopian tubes, leading to potential systemic absorption and adverse effects, as existing methods struggle to maintain adequate uterine distension without causing fluid overload or visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible, radially expandable plug is delivered through an endoscope into the fallopian tube to seal it from the uterine cavity, preventing fluid leakage and allowing for controlled uterine distension and safe hysteroscopic procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fluid is used to distend the uterine cavity during hysteroscopic procedures, then visibility and working space are improved, but fluid leakage through fallopian tubes causes systemic absorption and adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts or removes the fallopian tubes from the fluid-filled environment by sealing their ostia with plugs. This prevents fluid from entering the peritoneal cavity through the tubes while maintaining the necessary fluid distension in the uterine cavity for surgical visibility and workspace.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug acts as an intermediary element between the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes. It selectively blocks the passage of fluid while allowing the uterine cavity to remain distended with fluid for surgical purposes, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of fluid distension and fluid containment.
2Volume of moving object
If uterine cavity is distended with fluid to create working space, then surgical access is improved, but fluid pressure increases causing leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the fallopian tubes as fluid pathways through sealing their ostia with plugs, the system can tolerate higher fluid pressures in the uterine cavity without the harmful effect of leakage. This extraction of the leakage pathway enables greater cavity distension.
Solution Approach 2:
The plugs are inserted beforehand to seal the fallopian tube ostia, providing a protective barrier against high fluid pressure. This pre-established seal cushions the system against pressure-induced leakage, allowing the uterine cavity to be safely distended to larger volumes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fallopian tubes are sealed to prevent fluid leakage, then systemic absorption is reduced, but procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable plugs that are inserted into the fallopian tube ostia to seal them temporarily during the procedure. These single-use devices prevent systemic absorption without requiring complex reusable sealing mechanisms, thereby limiting procedural complexity while achieving the desired safety outcome.
4Illumination intensity
If high fluid pressure is maintained for adequate distension, then surgical visibility is improved, but fluid leakage through tubes increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the fallopian tubes from the fluid circulation pathway through sealing, the system eliminates the leakage route. This allows high fluid pressure to be maintained in the uterine cavity for optimal surgical visibility without the concomitant loss of fluid through the tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug serves as an intermediary that decouples the relationship between uterine cavity pressure and fluid loss. It allows the cavity to maintain high pressure for visibility while preventing that pressure from driving fluid through the fallopian tubes, thus breaking the direct connection between distension pressure and fluid leakage.
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 seals the fallopian tubes, reducing fluid absorption risks and enhancing procedural safety by maintaining controlled uterine pressure, thereby minimizing complications such as pulmonary edema and cardiorespiratory issues during hysteroscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the biocompatible plug is substantially cylindrical in form and configured to be radially expandable, wherein the biocompatible plug is configured to expand in the ostium of the fallopian tube to seal the fallopian tube from the uterine cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A fallopian biocompatible plug can include differently expandable portions. A method of treating a uterine abnormality of a patient includes: providing an endoscope having a working channel; inflating a uterine cavity with a fluid; delivering a biocompatible plug into an ostium of a fallopian tube of the patient, wherein the biocompatible plug is substantially cylindrical in form and configured to be radially expandable, wherein the biocompatible plug is configured to expand in the ostium of the fallopian tube to seal the fallopian tube from the uterine cavity; delivering a resection device through the working channel; and resecting the uterine abnormality.