Fenestrated Decoupling System for Bowel Wall Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current attachment methods for transferring tensile loads to the bowel wall in treating short bowel syndrome are unreliable and can cause tissue damage, ischemia, and are not suitable for minimally invasive procedures, limiting their clinical applicability.
Innovation Solution
A fenestrated decoupling system that allows selective attachment and detachment to a hollow member, using an expanding device with a friction enhancement that engages the interior surface only when enlarged, and a fenestrated decoupling system that prevents contact when deflated, enabling safe and reliable transfer of longitudinal tensile loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If end abutment or suture-based attachment methods are used to transfer load to the bowel wall, then tensile load transfer is achieved, but tissue damage, ischemia, and unreliable attachment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compliant balloon assembly with a flexible membrane that can expand to engage the bowel wall. The balloon's flexible structure distributes mechanical load over a larger surface area compared to rigid end abutment, reducing localized tissue damage and ischemia while maintaining effective tensile load transfer for mechanotransduction enterogenesis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a friction enhancement layer as an intermediary between the balloon and bowel wall. This intermediate layer improves the coefficient of friction to enhance load transfer efficiency while preventing direct mechanical damage and ischemia that would occur with rigid end abutment or suture-based methods
2Ease of operation
If the device is to move freely through the bowel during implantation and repositioning, then minimally invasive procedures are enabled, but reliable attachment to the bowel wall cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable attachment system where the balloon can be inflated to engage the bowel wall for reliable attachment, and deflated to allow free movement during implantation and repositioning. This dynamic state change enables the device to transition between mobile and attached states, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and attachment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic inflation and deflation of the balloon assembly to achieve selective attachment and detachment. During implantation, the balloon is deflated for easy movement; upon reaching the target position, it is inflated to attach reliably to the bowel wall. This periodic action between attached and detached states enables both minimally invasive procedures and reliable attachment
3Force
If friction enhancement is always in contact with the bowel wall, then load transfer is maximized, but the device cannot be repositioned or removed without causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable friction enhancement system through balloon inflation and deflation. When the balloon is inflated, the friction enhancement layer contacts the bowel wall to maximize load transfer. When deflated, the friction enhancement disengages to allow painless repositioning and removal, resolving the contradiction between load transfer efficiency and ease of operation
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 fenestrated decoupling system allows for safe and reliable attachment and detachment, minimizing tissue damage and enabling minimally invasive procedures, effectively applying tensile loads for tissue growth and improving the capability of endoscopic devices to hold position without causing ischemia.
Implementation Method 1
a friction enhancement disposed about the expanding device that is engageable with the interior surface of the hollow member when the expanding device is in the enlarged position
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
An attachment system for selectively attaching to an interior surface of a hollow member, which includes an expanding device selectively enlargeable from a first size position to an enlarged second size position, a friction enhancement disposed about the expanding device that is engageable with the interior surface of the hollow member when the expanding device is in the enlarged position, and a fenestrated decoupling system extending between at least a portion of the friction enhancement of the expanding device and the interior surface of the hollow member. The fenestrated decoupling system generally prevents contact of the friction enhancement with the interior surface of the hollow member when the expanding device is in the first size position and permits contact of the friction enhancement with the interior surface of the hollow member when the expanding device is in the enlarged position.