Helical Needle with Inflatable Sleeve for Safe Tissue Piercing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for translumenal access of internal body cavities during endoscopic surgical procedures lack safety and control, particularly in piercing internal body lumens, which can lead to inadvertent damage to underlying organs or tissues.

Innovation Solution

A surgical device comprising a needle with a helical element and a protective sleeve, along with an inflatable member, is used to pierce the tissue and create a controlled opening, allowing for safe and controlled access to internal body cavities. The device includes a guide wire with a tapered segment and a protective sleeve that shields the inflatable member from premature inflation and damage during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a needle is used to pierce tissue during translumenal endoscopic surgery, then access to internal body cavities is achieved, but inadvertent damage to underlying organs or tissues may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue piercing capabilityVSAvoiddamage to underlying organs or tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inflatable member as an intermediary between the needle and the underlying organs. The needle creates an initial puncture, then the inflatable member is advanced through the puncture and inflated to create a larger, controlled opening. This intermediary structure allows the sharp needle to perform its piercing function while the softer, inflatable member creates the final access opening without directly contacting and potentially damaging underlying organs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary tissue piercing with the needle before introducing the inflatable member. The needle creates the initial access pathway through the lumen wall, which then guides the subsequent insertion of the inflatable member. This preliminary action allows the more controllable inflatable member to follow the established pathway, reducing the risk of uncontrolled tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an inflatable member is used to enlarge the opening, then safe and controlled access is achieved, but premature inflation or damage during insertion may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled access to surgical siteVSAvoidpremature inflation or damage during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the inflatable member within a protective sheath that extends through the lumen wall. The protective sheath surrounds and protects the inflatable member during insertion, preventing premature inflation or damage. The sheath is removed or retracted at the appropriate time to allow the inflatable member to be deployed safely at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sheath acts as an intermediary structure that shields the inflatable member during insertion through the lumen wall. This protective barrier prevents the inflatable member from contacting surrounding tissues prematurely or sustaining damage during the insertion process, ensuring it remains intact until ready for deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the needle is advanced through the lumen wall, then access to the surgical site is achieved, but loss of visual contact with the surgical site may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to surgical siteVSAvoidvisual contact with surgical site

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the needle and inflatable member assembly within the endoscope's working channel. This allows the piercing and opening-enlargement functions to be performed while the endoscope remains in position, maintaining visual contact with the surgical site throughout the procedure. The nested configuration enables sequential deployment of components without removing the endoscope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 device enables precise and safe creation of openings in tissues for endoscopic procedures, minimizing damage to surrounding structures and ensuring proper inflation of the opening for instrument access, thereby enhancing the safety and efficacy of translumenal access.

Implementation Method 1

an inflatable member, which is in fluid communication with an inflation conduit, disposed on an outside surface of the conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Data Source

PatentUS9226772B2Surgical device

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC

AI summary

A surgical device comprises a guide tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inside diameter. A needle has a proximal end and a distal end. The needle comprises a longitudinal portion having a diameter suitable to be slidably received within the inside diameter of the guide tube. The needle comprises a helical element disposed at the distal end of the needle.