Gallbladder Occlusion Barrier to Prevent Cholecystitis Recurrence

Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for cholecystitis, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, are invasive and there is a need for a less invasive method to treat cholecystitis without removing the gallbladder.

Innovation Solution

A method involving gallbladder occlusion or sealing using a bile barrier, such as a sack or balloon, is employed to prevent bile from contacting the gallbladder wall, thereby suppressing calculus formation and reducing recurrence of cholecystitis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed to treat cholecystitis, then the gallbladder is removed and there is no risk of recurrence, but the treatment becomes invasive to the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecurrence preventionVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes only the harmful contents (bile and calculus) from the gallbladder while preserving the gallbladder organ itself. This is achieved through endoscopic access to puncture and drain the gallbladder, eliminating the need for complete removal of the organ while still preventing recurrence of cholecystitis by removing the causative agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an endoscope as an intermediary tool to access the gallbladder through the gastrointestinal tract. This mediator enables non-invasive access to the gallbladder lumen, allowing for content removal and treatment without requiring external surgical incisions or direct surgical access to the gallbladder

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a less invasive treatment method is used to reduce invasiveness, then patient trauma is reduced, but the effectiveness in suppressing calculus formation and cholecystitis recurrence may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidcalculus formation suppression

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes only the harmful contents (bile and calculus) from the gallbladder while preserving the gallbladder organ itself. This is achieved through endoscopic access to puncture and drain the gallbladder, eliminating the need for complete removal of the organ while still preventing recurrence of cholecystitis by removing the causative agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary drainage and removal of bile and calculus contents before the gallbladder wall can undergo significant pathological changes. By clearing the harmful contents first, the treatment prevents subsequent calculus formation and inflammation, ensuring long-term effectiveness without invasive surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12622776B2Cholecystitis treatment via gallbladder occlusion or sealing

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A method comprises obstructing at least a portion of an inside of a gallbladder using a barrier, and suppressing, using the barrier, contacting at least a portion of an interior wall of the gallbladder with a bile from a cystic duct.