Flexible Endoscope Rotor for Suction and Foreign-Body Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopes face challenges in handling emergency gastrointestinal bleeding due to limited suction capacity and channel clogging from foreign bodies, particularly in emergency room settings where reusable endoscopes are not adequately cleaned, leading to prolonged procedures and increased patient risk.

Innovation Solution

The development of disposable endoscopes with a distal tip attachment and rotor mechanism that modulates air pressure to create vacuum and plenum pressures, combined with a rotor that fragments and ejects foreign bodies, enhancing suction performance and preventing channel clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional endoscopes are used in emergency GI procedures, then the procedure can be performed, but suction capacity is limited and channels clog from foreign bodies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction capacityVSAvoidchannel clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscope is divided into functional segments including a distal tip attachment with cylinder channel, rotors for fragmentation, and suction passageways. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the rotor fragments foreign bodies while the suction system removes debris, preventing clogging and enhancing overall suction capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated endoscope system: illumination, imaging, fluid delivery, suction, and foreign body fragmentation all occur through a single device. The distal tip attachment merges the cylinder channel, rotor mechanism, and suction passageways into one unified structure that addresses both suction capacity and clogging prevention simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If reusable endoscopes are used in emergency settings, then procedures can be performed, but inadequate cleaning leads to prolonged procedures and increased patient risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscope is designed as a disposable single-use device, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures between patients. Each endoscope is used once and then discarded, ensuring complete elimination of cross-contamination risks while maintaining high procedure efficiency in emergency settings where rapid turnover is critical

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If a rotor mechanism is added to fragment foreign bodies, then suction performance improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign body clearanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor serves multiple functions: it fragments foreign bodies through mechanical action, creates turbulence to loosen debris from tissue surfaces, and works in conjunction with the suction system to enhance overall debris removal. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering superior foreign body clearance capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor is nested within the working channel of the endoscope, and the distal tip attachment with cylinder channel is positioned at the distal end. This nested arrangement allows the complex rotor mechanism to be integrated within the existing endoscope structure without requiring separate external devices, thereby managing complexity through compact integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution provides efficient suction and foreign body management, reducing procedure duration and patient risk by effectively clearing obstructions without the need for repeated insertion and withdrawal, thus improving safety and efficiency in emergency gastrointestinal procedures.

Implementation Method 1

rotation of the first rotor in a first rotary direction creates vacuum pressure in the working channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum pressure creation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

rotation of the first rotor in a second rotary direction creates plenum pressure in the working channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlenum pressure creation: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 3

fragmenting foreign bodies within the working channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fragmentation: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 4

applying suction to the working channel to draw the fragmented foreign bodies out of the working channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12453577B2Flexible scope with improved suction

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed including apparatuses and methods for endoscopy such as an endoscope device operable to produce suction. An endoscope can include or use a cylinder for use at a distal end of an endoscope, and the cylinder can include a cylinder channel extending from a first end of the cylinder to a second end of the cylinder, and a rotor arranged within a working channel of the endoscope at the distal end of the endoscope. The rotor can be movable within the cylinder or the channel such as to help fragment or clear foreign bodies during a procedure.