Navigation Catheter Assembly with Fluid-Flushed Endoscopic Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems face challenges in navigating and visualizing small and remote cavities, such as the deep lung, with high complexity and cost, and are hindered by physiological fluids affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly comprising a guiding catheter with an internal lumen and a fluid delivery module that allows for endoscopic probe insertion, enabling fluid flushing to clean the imaging device and maintain a small diameter, combined with an attachment module for enhanced navigation and manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an endoscope is made compact by co-axially positioning camera, light source and suction openings, then the endoscope can navigate small cavities, but the diameter necessarily increases degrading navigation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into separate functional modules: a compact imaging module with camera and light source, and a separate suction module with its own channel. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, maintaining small overall diameter while providing all necessary functions without interference between components
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging module is positioned within the catheter structure in a nested arrangement, with the camera and light source co-axially aligned inside the catheter body. This nesting allows the imaging components to be housed within the existing catheter diameter without requiring additional radial space that would increase overall size
2Volume of moving object
If suction and irrigation channel sizes are made small, then the endoscope diameter is reduced, but pressure drop increases limiting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The suction channel is designed with optimized hydraulic geometry, including appropriate diameter and length ratios, to minimize pressure drop while maintaining effective suction capability. The channel dimensions are carefully selected to balance the competing requirements of small overall diameter and adequate fluid removal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The channel dimensions are optimized by varying parameters such as diameter, length, and curvature radius to achieve minimal pressure drop. The suction channel geometry is specifically tuned to maintain low resistance to fluid flow despite the constrained size of the endoscope
3Ease of operation
If fluoroscopic imaging with electromagnetic navigation is used, then deep lung access is enabled, but only virtual or indirect visualization is obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two previously separate approaches: the electromagnetic navigation catheter for deep lung access and the compact endoscope for direct visualization. By combining these into a single integrated device, the system achieves both remote navigation capability and direct visual feedback, eliminating the need to choose between indirect imaging and direct imaging
4Adaptability or versatility
If a guiding catheter receives both endoscope and dilation catheter, then functionality is enhanced, but diameter increases degrading navigation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding catheter is designed with separate, dedicated channels for the endoscope and dilation catheter rather than a single large lumen. This segmentation allows each instrument to pass through its own optimized pathway, maintaining small overall catheter diameter while providing access to multiple tools
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope and dilation catheter are arranged in a nested configuration within the guiding catheter, with each instrument able to be advanced through its own channel. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of internal space while keeping the external diameter of the guiding catheter small enough for navigation in small cavities
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 assembly provides improved navigation and visualization in small cavities with reduced complexity and cost, allowing for precise anatomical structure imaging and facilitating surgical procedures like biopsies.
Implementation Method 1
fluid delivery module that allows for endoscopic probe insertion, enabling fluid flushing to clean the imaging device
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for endoluminal navigation may include a guiding catheter, an endoscopic probe and a fluid delivery module. The guiding catheter has an internal lumen with an outlet aperture at the distal end. The endoscopic probe has a flexible probe body and an imaging device attached to the probe body at a distal end. The probe body and the imaging device are sized to be slidingly received in the internal lumen. The fluid delivery module arranged at the proximal end of the guiding catheter includes a first port communicating with the internal lumen for receiving the endoscopic probe, and a second port in fluid communication with the internal lumen for delivering a fluid. The first port has a fluid seal configured to fluid tightly seal the first inlet port against the probe body while the second port remains in fluid communication with the internal lumen.