GI Balloon Check Valve Docking for Stable Endoscopic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gastrointestinal balloon systems face challenges in effectively adjusting the balloon volume while it is in the stomach, due to difficulties in accessing and immobilizing the check valve for inflation or deflation.
Innovation Solution
A novel check valve system is introduced that allows for the simultaneous immobilization and access of the valve within the gastrointestinal balloon, utilizing a housing with a plunger and attachment for alignment and operation by a grasping tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the check valve is kept stationary in the balloon within the stomach, then the balloon volume can be adjusted without removing components from the stomach, but direct access to the valve via endoscope is extremely difficult and may not be feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is divided into two functional segments: a stationary housing embedded in the balloon that provides structural stability, and a movable plunger that can be actuated by the endoscope. This segmentation allows the housing to remain fixed for reliable positioning while the plunger can be accessed and manipulated to control balloon volume.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the endoscope and the plunger. The endoscope carries a magnet that interacts with a magnetically coupled plunger, enabling remote actuation of the valve without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary mechanism solves the access problem while maintaining reliable valve control.
2Ease of operation
If the valve is brought out of the stomach to the mouth for manual adjustment, then balloon volume can be manually adjusted, but this requires stretchable inflation tubes that cause tissue trauma and other side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger component is extracted from the traditional external tube system and relocated to the check valve housing itself. This extraction eliminates the need for stretchable inflation tubes that extend from the stomach to the mouth, thereby removing the source of tissue trauma while preserving the ability to manually adjust balloon volume through endoscopic access.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system of stretchable tubes and external manipulation is replaced with a magnetic actuation system. The endoscope with its magnetic field substitutes for the mechanical tube system, enabling valve actuation without physical connection to external components and eliminating the associated tissue trauma.
3Ease of operation
If the balloon moves within the stomach during endoscope engagement attempts, then access to the valve becomes difficult, but immobilizing the balloon is needed to improve ease of engaging the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve housing is merged with the balloon structure through embedding or integration. This merging ensures that the housing moves with the balloon as a single unit, eliminating relative motion between the valve and balloon. The unified structure improves ease of engagement by providing a stable, predictable target for endoscope access.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve housing is pre-positioned and embedded in the balloon at a specific location during balloon assembly. This preliminary positioning ensures that the valve is always accessible at a known location regardless of balloon movement within the stomach, facilitating reliable endoscope engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A gastrointestinal balloon system includes a gastrointestinal balloon and a check valve located within the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve includes a string coupled to the check valve, the string having a loop on a proximal end and a catheter having a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive a grasping tool. The grasping tool extends out a distal end of the catheter for grabbing the loop to align the catheter with the check valve. Also, a check valve, two-wat valve, and method of using the same in a gastrointestinal balloon.