Guidewire Holding Sheath for Single-Wire ERCP Tool Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopic ultrasound guided rendezvous (EUS-RV) procedures require multiple guidewires and are time-consuming due to the complexity of catching and releasing guidewires during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures, particularly when the duodenal papilla is tightly closed.

Innovation Solution

A guidewire holding device integrated with an endoscope, featuring a sheath with a holder that can switch between holding and releasing a guidewire, allowing a treatment tool to be inserted and switched between configurations within the sheath and protruded from the distal end for ERCP procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional EUS-RV procedure uses multiple guidewires and catching/releasing operations, then the treatment device can be inserted into the hollow organ, but the procedural complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuccessful insertion of treatment deviceVSAvoidprocedural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the guidewire holding function and treatment tool delivery function into a single integrated device. The sheath contains both the holder for securing the guidewire and the treatment tool, eliminating the need for separate guidewire manipulation steps and multiple devices, thus reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliable treatment device insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional EUS-RV procedure performs multiple guidewire operations, then the treatment device can be deployed, but the procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuccessful deployment of treatment deviceVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath is pre-configured with the holder positioned to engage the guidewire before the treatment tool is advanced. This preliminary arrangement of components allows the operator to simply advance the entire assembly along the guidewire without performing intermediate catching or releasing operations, significantly reducing procedural time while ensuring reliable treatment device deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the holder is disposed at the distal end of the sheath, then the guidewire can be easily engaged, but the treatment tool cannot be delivered to the target location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidewire engagementVSAvoidtreatment tool delivery capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment tool is nested within the sheath, with the holder positioned at the distal end to engage the guidewire. The sheath acts as a delivery catheter that contains both the holder and treatment tool, allowing the guidewire to be engaged at the distal end while the treatment tool remains protected inside the sheath until it needs to be deployed at the target location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3970777B1Device of inserting treatment device into hollow organ
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • EP3970777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3970777B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3970777B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A guidewire holding device comprises a sheath including a lumen, a holder disposed at a distal end of the sheath and configured to be switchable between holding a guidewire and releasing the guidewire, a treatment tool inserted in the lumen to perform an intended treatment, and a wire connected to the treatment tool and configured to move the treatment tool between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the treatment tool is contained insider the lumen, and, in the second configuration, the treatment tool is protruded from the distal end of the sheath.