Magnetic Endoscope Instrument Positioning Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope systems face challenges in precisely accessing tortuous and small cross-sectional areas of the body, leading to tissue trauma and prolonged procedures due to imprecise force transmission and slippage during repeated manipulation and positioning.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope system with a positioning mechanism that includes a flexible tube and a positioning mechanism at the distal end, featuring a releasable friction fit and adjustable clamping mechanism to secure treatment instruments, allowing for precise control and deflection of treatment instruments through a sleeve or elevator mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mechanical positioning components are used to manipulate treatment instruments, then positioning capability is provided, but imprecise force transmission and slippage occur between moving components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidforce transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning components with a magnetic field-based positioning system. Magnets embedded in the endoscope tip interact with a treatment instrument equipped with magnetic particles or a magnetic field sensor, enabling force transmission through magnetic attraction rather than mechanical contact. This eliminates slippage between moving components while maintaining precise positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the endoscope positioning mechanism and the treatment instrument. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that transmits positioning forces without direct mechanical contact, resolving the slippage problem while preserving force transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If repeated manipulation and positioning of endoscope is performed to access tortuous body lumens, then access to desired body portion is achieved, but tissue trauma increases and procedure time prolongs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess capability to tortuous lumensVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field-based positioning system enables more precise and controlled manipulation of the treatment instrument through the endoscope's working channel. This reduces the need for repeated endoscope manipulation and positioning attempts, thereby minimizing tissue trauma while maintaining the ability to access tortuous body lumens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows preliminary positioning and securing of the treatment instrument within the endoscope's working channel using magnetic attraction. This preliminary action stabilizes the instrument before advancement, reducing the need for repeated manipulation and positioning attempts during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If traditional mechanical positioning components are used, then positioning function is provided, but slippage occurs between moving components reducing precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning functionVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based positioning with magnetic field-based positioning. The magnetic attraction force between the endoscope's magnets and the treatment instrument's magnetic components provides continuous, slip-free force transmission, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system enables more precise manipulation of treatment instruments, reducing tissue trauma and shortening medical procedures by maintaining the position of instruments relative to the endoscope without manual securing, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of endoscopic procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The positioning mechanism includes an engagement structure configured to maintain a releasable friction fit between a treatment instrument and the positioning mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8435170B2Positioning system for securing a treatment instrument at the end of a medical device

Publication Date: 2013.05.07 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention include a medical device for accessing a patient's body portion and used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Embodiments of the invention may include a particular endoscopic positioning mechanism for placing an endoscope and an additional treatment device within desired body portions in order to assist in diagnosis and treatment of anatomical diseases and disorders. In particular, a medical device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a positioning mechanism configured to maintain the relative position of a treatment instrument with respect to an underlying endoscope during a treatment procedure.