Medical Treatment Instrument Inflatable Body Axial Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inflatable body in existing medical treatment tools deforms when the flexing portion is flexed, leading to either inability to inflate or excessive pressure, which can cause further deformation.
Innovation Solution
A medical treatment tool with a flexing portion that includes an inflatable body with a proximal end portion axially movable relative to the insert portion, a shape retainer to maintain the flexed shape, and a slide member to seal and assist movement of the inflatable body, allowing for proper inflation without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flexing portion is flexed, then the insert portion can be inserted into the human body along a curved path, but the inflatable body is pulled axially causing deformation and inability to inflate properly
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable body is divided into two functional zones: a distal fixed end portion that anchors to the insert portion and a proximal movable end portion that can slide axially. This segmentation allows the proximal end to compensate for axial pulling during flexing while the distal end maintains stable attachment for reliable inflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal end portion of the inflatable body is designed to be axially movable relative to the insert portion, transforming from a static fixed connection to a dynamic sliding connection. This allows the inflatable body to adapt its length during flexing, preventing deformation while maintaining inflation capability.
2Device complexity
If the inflatable body is fixed axially to the insert portion, then the structure is simple, but the inflatable body deforms when the flexing portion is flexed causing excessive pressure or inability to inflate
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable body is divided into a fixed distal end portion and a movable proximal end portion. This segmentation adds minimal structural complexity while dramatically improving reliability by allowing the proximal end to slide axially during flexing, preventing deformation and ensuring proper inflation function.
3Reliability
If the proximal end portion of the inflatable body is axially movable, then the inflatable body can be properly inflated without deformation, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable body is segmented into fixed and movable portions, adding only minimal structural complexity through a sliding mechanism while significantly improving inflation reliability by preventing axial deformation during flexing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable body is constructed as a flexible membrane structure that can accommodate axial movement of the proximal end. This flexible shell design allows the inflatable body to maintain its radial integrity for reliable inflation while permitting axial sliding to compensate for flexing-induced length changes.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the shape retainer is provided to retain the flexed shape, then the insertion path can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape retainer is pre-formed with the desired curved configuration before insertion. This preliminary shaping allows the insert portion to maintain its insertion path without requiring active control mechanisms during the procedure, achieving shape stability with minimal added complexity.
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
Enables appropriate inflation of the inflatable body without deformation, facilitating easier insertion and treatment by maintaining the shape of the flexing portion and reducing operational force required for flexing.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable body is inflatable in a radial direction of the insert portion by a fluid introduced into the inflatable body through the channel
Implementation Method 2
when the flexing portion is flexed, since the proximal end portion of the inflatable body is axially moved relative to the insert portion, the deformation of the inflatable body can be avoided
Data Source
AI summary
A medical treatment tool (1) includes: an insert portion (3) at least a part of which is provided by a flexing portion (32) that is adapted to be flexed, the insert portion (3) being adapted to be inserted into a human body of a patient; and an inflatable body (5) provided on an outer circumference of the flexing portion (32), the inflatable body (5) being inflated in a radial direction of the flexing portion (32). An axial distal end portion (51) of the inflatable body (5) is fixed to the insert portion (3) while a proximal end portion (52) of the inflatable body (5) is axially movable relative to the insert portion (3).