Magnetic Endoscope Positioning for Tissue-Separated Lumen Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic devices face limitations in visualizing and reaching target locations within body lumens, particularly in procedures involving multiple lumens or portions separated by tissue walls, such as gastric bypass procedures, due to limited ultrasound range and difficulty in identifying appropriate intestinal connections.
Innovation Solution
The use of a first device with a magnet and a second device with a magnetic field sensor to identify the position of the magnet, allowing for precise alignment and connection of body lumens by detecting the magnetic field, facilitating procedures like gastric bypass by forming holes in tissue walls and joining them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a typical endoscope with limited ultrasound range is used, then the device can be simple and compact, but it cannot effectively identify the relevant portion of the intestine that should be connected to the pouch
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary between the first endoscope (with magnet) and the second endoscope (with sensor). The magnetic field penetrates the tissue wall to enable communication and positioning between devices in different lumens without requiring direct visual contact or complex mechanical linkages, thus improving identification precision while keeping individual endoscope structures relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical coupling or direct optical visualization systems with a magnetic field-based interaction system. Instead of requiring complex mechanical alignment or direct line-of-sight optical contact between the two endoscopes, the magnetic field provides a non-contact coupling mechanism that simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling precise positioning and identification
2Measurement precision
If the ultrasound range is increased to visualize target location through tissue wall, then measurement capability improves, but the device becomes more complex and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that penetrates the tissue wall to transmit positioning information between the first endoscope in the intestinal lumen and the second endoscope in the stomach lumen. This eliminates the need for complex ultrasound imaging systems to visualize through the tissue wall, as the magnetic field directly provides the necessary spatial information for identification and connection
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple body lumens are involved in the procedure, then the treatment capability is enhanced, but the difficulty in visualizing and aligning target locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field acts as a universal intermediary that operates across different body lumens (stomach, intestine, esophagus). By placing magnets in one lumen and sensors in another, the system can precisely detect and measure the spatial relationship between any two lumens, greatly simplifying the alignment and visualization difficulties that arise when performing procedures across multiple separated body compartments
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 precise identification and connection of body lumen portions, enhancing the ability to perform procedures like gastric bypass by ensuring accurate alignment and minimizing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
A distal portion of the first device may include a magnet. The method may further comprise advancing a second device through a second body lumen. The second device may include a magnetic field sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing a medical procedure may comprise advancing a first device through a first body lumen. A distal portion of the first device may include a magnet. The method may further comprise advancing a second device through a second body lumen. The second device may include a magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise receiving a signal from the magnetic field sensor. The signal may be indicative of a magnetic field measured by the magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise, if the received signal matches a magnetic field of the magnet, identifying a position of the magnet.