Inflatable Chamber Device for Controlled Lumen Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflatable chamber devices for self-propelled motion through tubes face challenges in controlling the inflation and deflation sequence, leading to suboptimal propulsion speed and potential damage to internal passageway walls, particularly due to dependence on fluid impedance and the need for multiple control lines or pneumatic tubes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a series of inflatable chambers connected by passageways, utilizing a non-monotonous relationship between inflation pressure and size, allowing sequential inflation and deflation, and featuring a fluid source onboard for independent operation, enabling efficient and controlled propulsion without causing undue friction or damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple control lines or pneumatic tubes are used to operate the device, then the inflation and deflation sequence can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single pneumatic tube by utilizing the non-monotonous pressure-size relationship of the inflatable chambers. Instead of requiring separate control lines for each chamber, the system uses one tube to supply pressure that automatically creates the sequential inflation pattern through the chambers' elastic properties, thereby reducing control system complexity while maintaining operational control
2Ease of operation
If the device is pushed manually over a curved path, then the device can navigate the passageway, but friction causes potential injury to the inner tissue walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual pushing mechanism with a self-propelled inflatable chamber system. The chambers sequentially inflate and deflate to create peristaltic motion that propels the device through the passageway, eliminating the need for external manual pushing and reducing friction-related damage to tissue walls
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses periodic inflation and deflation of the chambers in sequence to create wave-like peristaltic motion. This periodic action allows the device to navigate curved paths smoothly without requiring continuous manual pushing, thereby reducing friction and potential injury to the passageway walls
3Reliability
If the chambers inflate sequentially using fluid impedance control, then the device can be propelled, but the propulsion speed becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the inflatable chambers, specifically designing them with a non-monotonous pressure-size relationship. This parameter change allows the chambers to inflate and deflate more rapidly while maintaining sequential control, thereby improving propulsion speed without sacrificing the reliability of the sequential inflation mechanism
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 achieves rapid and controlled propulsion with reduced friction, allowing for efficient navigation of internal passageways while minimizing damage, and can be adapted for various medical and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic material of the chambers or balloons and their dimensions are chosen to have a characteristic providing a non-monotonous relationship between the inflation pressure within a chamber and its inflated size
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled device for locomotion through a lumen, comprising a set of serially arranged inflatable chambers, adjacent chambers being fluidly connected, and a fluid source attached to one end of the set, such that the chambers inflate sequentially. The chambers are constructed of an elastic material and have a wall thickness and dimensions such that they have a characteristic with a non-monotonous relationship between the inflation pressure within the chamber and the chamber's inflated size. The characteristic is such that after an initial inflation pressure peak, the non-monotonous relationship adopts a negative slope, such that the volume of the chamber increases more rapidly than the volume of fluid flowing into it, and the inflation pressure of the chamber falls. This effect causes the chamber to inflate and anchor rapidly, while essentially slowing down the inflation of the succeeding chamber until inflation of the first is complete.