Extraluminal Enterogenesis Device Using Shape Memory Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enterogenesis devices require invasive surgical interventions, violate the bowel wall, and have complex activation mechanisms, limiting their clinical translation and effectiveness in lengthening body lumens without interfering with internal lumen activity.
Innovation Solution
An extraluminal enterogenesis device using a self-activated shape memory polymer network that expands between attachment points outside the lumen, actuated by exposure to physiological saline and air environments, allowing controlled lumen lengthening without additional surgical interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing enterogenesis devices are inserted into the lumen, then the device can be positioned for enterogenesis, but the device interferes with the lumen's internal activity and requires surgical intervention to insert
Solution Approach 1:
The device is extracted from the lumen and placed entirely outside it. The extraluminal mechanism connects to the lumen at two attachment points but operates externally, eliminating interference with internal lumen activity while avoiding the need for invasive insertion surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting the device into the lumen as conventionally done, the device is inverted to operate externally. The activation mechanism is also inverted - rather than requiring external surgical intervention to activate, the device self-activates through automatic detection of the physiological environment.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the device remains inside the lumen during enterogenesis, then the device can continuously stimulate growth, but it interferes with normal lumen function
Solution Approach 1:
The device is positioned entirely outside the lumen during the enterogenesis period, extracting the source of interference while maintaining continuous external stimulation of the lumen walls at attachment points to promote growth over the extended treatment duration.
3Extent of automation
If complex activation mechanisms are used, then the device can be precisely controlled, but the device requires additional surgical interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service by automatically detecting the physiological environment (temperature, pH, moisture) and activating its shape memory polymer mechanism without requiring external surgical intervention. The system is self-regulating and adapts to the body's natural conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical activation system is replaced with an environmental sensing and self-activation system. Instead of mechanical actuators requiring surgical control, the device uses shape memory polymers that automatically respond to physiological conditions, substituting complex mechanical control with passive environmental responsiveness.
4Ease of manufacture
If the device is inserted during surgery, then the device can be deployed, but the lumen must be opened violating the bowel wall
Solution Approach 1:
The device deployment process is extracted from the invasive surgical approach. The device is positioned extraluminally without opening the bowel wall, eliminating the harmful violation while still achieving proper deployment at the target site through minimal attachment point connections.
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 effectively elongates the lumen over an extended period without disrupting internal activity, providing continuous lumen function and avoiding the need for further surgical interventions, with controlled activation ensuring safe and effective tissue growth.
Implementation Method 1
a self-activated shape memory polymer system with an inherent glass transition temperature of greater than 80 degrees Celsius
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods for creating and deploying an entirely extraluminal enterogenesis device that is actuated during the enterogenesis period after the surgery is completed via an automatically controlled in-vivo activation of shape memory polymer network. This enterogenesis device operates to grow an extended body lumen without any significant interventions (e.g., via additional surgical intervention) over the period of lumen lengthening. Furthermore, the enterogenesis device operates outside the body lumen to lengthen the lumen without interfering with the lumen's internal activity during the period of the enterogenesis. The extraluminal enterogenesis device operates in an automatically-controlled manner over an extended period of time to provide the correct stimulus to grow the lumen into a lengthened state during the enterogenesis treatment period while providing high-quality continuous lumen activity during the treatment period without further intervention before distraction treatment is completed.