Self-Expanding Intragastric Balloon Using Foaming Polymer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intragastric balloons for obesity treatment face issues such as discomfort during inflation/deflation, risks of perforation and leakage, complications like gastric ulcers and small bowel obstructions, and the balloon sometimes blocking the duodenum, due to their design and materials.

Innovation Solution

A self-expanding intragastric balloon with a sealed container containing separated expandable foaming substances that expand and cure to foam, filling the balloon, made from materials that allow gas transfer and maintain shape even if punctured, and can be compressed for easy swallowing and expanded to prevent passage through the pyloric sphincter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the balloon is inserted in a deflated state via endoscope or swallowing and then inflated with gas or liquid, then the balloon can be placed in the stomach to reduce capacity, but the inflation process causes significant discomfort to the patient and carries risks of perforation and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of insertion and inflationVSAvoiddiscomfort and risk of perforation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a phase transition approach by employing a temperature-responsive polymer material that undergoes a sol-gel transition. The material is injected in a liquid sol state at body temperature, then transitions to a gel state upon cooling in the refrigerator compartment, providing structural support without requiring gas or liquid inflation that causes discomfort or perforation risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical inflation system (requiring tubes, pumps, and active inflation mechanisms) with a chemical-physical transition system. The polymer material automatically transforms from liquid to gel state through temperature change, eliminating the need for mechanical inflation devices and associated complications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the balloon is made large enough to effectively reduce stomach capacity, then obesity treatment efficacy is improved, but the balloon may block the duodenum or lodge in the pyloric sphincter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobesity treatment efficacyVSAvoidduodenal blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a temperature gradient within the balloon structure. The refrigerator compartment maintains a lower temperature to keep the polymer in gel state for structural support, while the rest of the balloon allows body temperature to maintain the material in a softer state, enabling safe passage through the pyloric sphincter without blockage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the balloon into functionally distinct zones: a refrigerator compartment for structural support and a main body for gastric capacity reduction. This segmentation allows different regions to have different physical properties appropriate for their specific functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the balloon material allows gastric fluid to pass through causing material expansion, then the balloon can adapt to stomach environment, but this causes gastric ulcers and small bowel obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to gastric environmentVSAvoidgastric ulcers and bowel obstructions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible polymer shell that is impermeable to gastric fluids. The material provides a barrier function that prevents gastric acid and enzymes from interacting with the internal gel structure, eliminating the harmful effects of fluid penetration while maintaining flexibility and adaptability to the stomach environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 self-expanding balloon reduces discomfort and risks associated with inflation/deflation, maintains shape and size to prevent duodenal blockage, and is designed for safe and effective gastric retention, minimizing complications like ulcers and bowel obstructions.

Implementation Method 1

separated expandable foaming substances within the sealed container, wherein the substances are adapted to expand and cure to a foam when mixed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Implementation Method 2

the substances are adapted to expand and cure to a foam when mixed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

material that the balloon is made of promotes transfer, through the material, of the gas created when the mixture expands and cures to a foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas transfer through material: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS10485686B2Intragastric balloon

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 SIMPLE MEDICAL INNOVATIONS

AI summary

An intragastric balloon (10) for use in the stomach including a sealed container and separated expandable foaming substances within the sealed container, wherein the substances are adapted to expand and cure to a foam when mixed.