Fiber Optic Locator for Tortuous Body Passage Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locator devices face challenges in navigating through tortuous body passages without being damaged or causing trauma to the body passage, especially during endoscopic procedures where precise location identification is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optics based locator system is developed, featuring a flexible fiber optics core and a jacket with a low-friction exterior surface, allowing direct navigation through tortuous body passages without the need for a separate delivery device. The system includes a cladding to maintain the integrity of the fiber optics core and a light-emitting element at the distal end for location identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a locator device is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the device cannot navigate tortuous body passages
Solution Approach 1:
The locator device is divided into multiple articulated segments that can flex relative to each other, allowing the device to navigate tortuous body passages while maintaining overall structural integrity through the segmented design
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates flexible materials and thin-film structures that allow bending and conforming to body passages while maintaining sufficient structural strength to perform its locating function
2Adaptability or versatility
If a locator device is made flexible to navigate tortuous passages, then navigability is improved, but the device may damage body passage tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a flexible outer shell or coating that provides a smooth, compliant surface in contact with body tissue, reducing mechanical trauma while maintaining the flexibility needed to navigate tortuous passages
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates materials or surface treatments that change friction characteristics or compliance parameters to minimize tissue damage during navigation through body passages
3Reliability
If a locator device is navigated through a separate delivery device, then protection during delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locator device is designed to be self-contained with integrated protection mechanisms, eliminating the need for a separate delivery device and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
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 fiber optics based locator system effectively navigates through tortuous body passages without damage or trauma, enabling precise location identification and facilitating complex medical procedures such as gastric bypass surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optics core; and a jacket over the core
Implementation Method 2
the jacket has an exterior surface configured to facilitate movement of the fiber optics based locating system directly through a body passage
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optics based locator system having a fiber optics portion configured to be advanced directly through a tortuous body passage of a patient without being advanced through the lumen of an independently formed delivery device. A light-emitting element, such as a diffuser, may be provided at the distal end of the system. The fiber optics are selected to transmit light to the light-emitting element capable of being detected through body tissue. For instance, the light-emitting element may be positioned within a first location within a patient, and may be sensed by a sensor positioned within a second location within a patient spaced apart from (e.g., within a different anatomical structure than) the first location. Various procedures may be performed by accessing a target site at or adjacent the first location from a position at or adjacent the second location.