Expandable Frame Overtube for Endoscope Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Translumenal procedures for accessing bodily cavities through the gastrointestinal tract face challenges such as spillage of bodily fluids, infection risks due to bacterial contamination, and restricted manipulation of endoscopes due to rigid overtubes that do not seal properly to the gastric wall.

Innovation Solution

A medical device comprising an expandable frame and a flexible sheath with a collapsible distal portion, allowing the frame to expand radially for secure positioning within a bodily opening, preventing fluid spillage and enabling flexible endoscope manipulation, while a suture system aids in maintaining the device's position and facilitating easy deployment and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional overtubes are used to protect the mouth and esophagus during endoscope delivery, then protection against fluid spillage is improved, but the ability to manipulate the endoscope is restricted due to rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against fluid spillageVSAvoidmanipulation of endoscope

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The overtube is designed with a collapsible distal portion that can transition between expanded and collapsed states. When expanded, it provides a seal against the gastric wall for protection; when collapsed, it allows flexible manipulation of the endoscope. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between protection and ease of manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The overtube incorporates a flexible sheath with a collapsible distal portion that can conform to the gastric wall when expanded and become flexible when collapsed. This flexible structure provides both the protective sealing function and the manipulative flexibility required, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for protection and flexibility for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If traditional overtubes are used to protect against bacterial contamination, then safety is improved, but the device does not seal properly to the gastric wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against bacterial contaminationVSAvoidsealing to gastric wall

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible distal portion is designed to expand and conform to the irregular surface of the gastric wall, creating an effective seal. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to achieve proper sealing regardless of variations in gastric wall geometry, resolving the contradiction between safety and sealing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The overtube features a localized collapsible distal portion with specific sealing characteristics designed to adapt to the gastric wall surface. This localized adaptation provides effective sealing and protection against bacterial contamination, resolving the contradiction between safety and sealing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If an expandable frame with collapsible distal portion is used, then manipulation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation flexibilityVSAvoidstructure of expandable frame

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable frame with collapsible distal portion is designed to transform between expanded and collapsed states, providing manipulation flexibility when needed while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The collapsible mechanism allows the distal portion to be simplified when not in use, resolving the contradiction between manipulation flexibility and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device provides a safe, reliable, and minimally invasive method for accessing bodily openings, preventing fluid leakage and bacterial contamination, while allowing for effective manipulation and navigation of endoscopes within the gastrointestinal tract.

Implementation Method 1

The expandable frame is operable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the expandable frame expanding radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial expansion:

Implementation Method 2

a flexible sheath having a length suitable for forming the pathway and having a collapsible distal portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a suture having a distal end forming a suture loop and a proximal end that passes through the collapsible distal portion of the flexible sheath and the expandable frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTensile force: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP2501304B1Devices for accessing a bodily opening

Publication Date: 2016.01.06 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

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AI summary

Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening that, among other things, are safe and reliable, and facilitate manipulation of a medical instrument. The medical access device generally includes an elongated flexible sheath and an expandable frame connected to the distal end of the flexible sheath. The sheath and expandable frame are operable between expanded and collapsed configurations to provide a pathway from a natural orifice to the bodily opening.