Intragastric Balloon Detection via Optical Fiber and Light Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intragastric devices for weight management lack effective methods for simple, cost-effective location and characterization within the body without exposure to harmful radiation, and they often require invasive procedures for deployment and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A free-floating or tethered intragastric volume-occupying device that maintains predetermined volume and pressure, using self-inflating or inflatable designs with a polymeric wall that allows controlled gas diffusion, and incorporates tracking components for electromagnetic, optical, or ultrasonic localization and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If intragastric devices use complex surgical procedures for insertion, then device deployment is achieved, but patient trauma and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical surgical insertion procedures with a swallowable capsule delivery system. The intragastric device is encapsulated in a biodegradable shell that dissolves in the gastric environment, allowing the device to be deployed simply by swallowing the capsule without requiring endoscopic or surgical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates self-inflation capability through gas-generating chemicals contained within the capsule. Upon dissolution of the biodegradable shell in the stomach, the chemicals automatically generate gas to inflate the intragastric balloon, eliminating the need for external inflation equipment or procedures.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional methods are used to locate intragastric devices, then device position can be determined, but harmful radiation exposure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a light-emitting element within the intragastric device that emits visible light or bioluminescent signal. This allows the device to be located and tracked using optical detection methods such as endoscopic visualization or external light sensors, completely replacing the need for radiopaque markers and X-ray imaging.
3Extent of automation
If intragastric devices require tethered connections for inflation, then device control is achieved, but patient comfort and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with self-inflating capability using gas-generating chemicals (such as citric acid and baking soda) contained within the capsule. When the biodegradable shell dissolves in the gastric environment, these chemicals react to produce carbon dioxide gas that automatically inflates the intragastric balloon without requiring any external tether, tube, or manual intervention.
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
Minimizes stress on the device to prevent failure, allows for preselected volume profiles to accommodate stomach size changes, and enables non-invasive deployment and retrieval, reducing exposure to radiation and invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric wall that allows controlled gas diffusion
Implementation Method 2
a light-emitting marker configured to produce electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light
Implementation Method 3
an optical sensor configured to sense electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided, including intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, locating, tracking, monitoring, deflating, and retrieving the same. In one embodiment, a device includes a balloon capsule having a distal end, a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a connector, a light sensor, and a balloon valve. At least one optical fiber extends along the length of the interior of the catheter and through the valve such that a distal end of the optical fiber is positioned at a distal end of the balloon capsule when the catheter is placed within the balloon capsule, and such that a proximal end of the optical fiber can be received by the light sensor.