Expandable Retractors for Stable Endoscopic Working Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic technologies lack the ability to optimally expand, affix, and dynamically retract tissue within a body lumen, leading to unstable operative environments and limited maneuverability during minimally invasive procedures, which complicates tissue dissection and visualization.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a reversibly-expandable retractor with flexible elements and an expandable stabilizing member, allowing for asymmetric expansion and stabilization of the working space, along with floating channels for instrument guides, to create a stable and dynamic operative environment that maximizes space and flexibility for endoscopic procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional endoscopic technology is used, then the procedure is minimally invasive, but the working space is unstable and collapses around the target lesion
Solution Approach 1:
The working space is divided into multiple segments using expandable retractor elements that can be independently positioned and adjusted. These segmented retractor elements create stable zones around the target lesion while allowing independent manipulation of each segment to optimize the operative environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor system employs dynamically adjustable elements that can expand, contract, and reposition in real-time during the procedure. This dynamic capability allows the working space to adapt to tissue movement and maintain stability throughout the procedure, transforming the static working space into a controllable dynamic environment.
2Ease of operation
If the working space is expanded to provide more room for instruments, then maneuverability improves, but the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor system uses a nested structure where multiple retractor elements are contained within a delivery catheter during insertion. Upon deployment, these nested elements expand outward to create the working space, providing a compact delivery mechanism that transforms into a large-volume operative environment without requiring proportionally complex external structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor elements serve multiple functions: they expand the working space, provide structural support, enable instrument maneuverability, and can be adjusted to accommodate different procedural needs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each function, thereby managing overall system complexity while enhancing operational capability.
3Illumination intensity
If tissue is retracted to create dissection planes, then tissue visualization improves, but the operative environment becomes less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor elements apply localized retraction forces at specific points around the target lesion rather than uniformly across the entire working space. This localized approach creates optimal dissection planes and tissue visualization at the target site while maintaining overall stability of the operative environment by minimizing disturbance to surrounding tissues.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a working space within a body lumen of a patient including a flexible catheter configured to receive a working instrument therethrough. The flexible catheter has a working space expanding system positioned at the distal portion, the working space expanding system including first and second flexible elements movable from a non-expanded insertion position to an expanded position forming an expanded region to expand the working space within the body. The first and second flexible elements are connected at a distal region by a coupling structure. A stabilizing member stabilizes the distal portion of the flexible catheter.