Magnetic Ring Attachment for Medical Scope Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical scopes face challenges in navigating the curved intestines due to stiffness and lack of flexibility, leading to discomfort for patients and difficulties in manipulation, especially when using expensive, specialty scopes with embedded magnets that are hard to sterilize.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic ring attachment system comprising expandable rings with opposing magnetic elements and an attachment device using electromagnets to secure the rings onto existing medical scopes, allowing for magnetic guidance and easy sterilization by making the rings disposable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the elongated member of the medical scope is made relatively stiff to push the head forward through the large intestine, then the pushing capability is improved, but the flexibility to maneuver around curves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scope is divided into multiple articulated segments that can bend relative to each other, allowing the distal end to navigate curves while the proximal end remains relatively stiff for pushing
Solution Approach 2:
The scope incorporates dynamic bending capabilities with articulation points that allow controlled flexion and extension, enabling the scope to adapt its shape during advancement through the intestine
2Measurement precision
If specialty scopes with embedded magnetic elements are used to guide the scope through the patient's body with increased precision, then the guidance precision is improved, but the cost and sterilization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic guidance system is separated into modular components: a disposable scope with attached magnetic elements and a reusable external magnet controller, allowing the complex magnetic system to be simplified and sterilized more easily
Solution Approach 2:
The scope with embedded magnetic elements is designed as a disposable single-use device, eliminating the need for complex sterilization processes while maintaining precise magnetic guidance functionality
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the scope is made to navigate the curved intestines with improved flexibility, then the patient comfort is improved, but the ability to effectively push the head forward deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scope is divided into multiple articulated segments that can bend relative to each other, allowing the distal end to navigate curves while the proximal end remains relatively stiff for pushing
Solution Approach 2:
The scope incorporates dynamic bending capabilities with articulation points that allow controlled flexion and extension, enabling the scope to adapt its shape during advancement through the intestine
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 guidance of medical scopes with improved flexibility and comfort for patients, reducing costs by using disposable, cost-effective magnetic rings that can be easily sterilized and adapted for various scope sizes.
Implementation Method 1
One or more of the expandable rings can include one or more sets of opposing magnetic elements
Implementation Method 2
an attachment device having a shelf that is interposed between a pair of opposing electromagnets
Data Source
AI summary
A medical scope attachment device and system includes one or more expandable rings, each having a resilient main body and an inside diameter defining a central opening that corresponds to a dimension of a medical scope. One or more sets of opposing magnetic elements are disposed within each of the rings. The system also includes a ring attachment device having a shelf that is interposed between a pair of opposing electromagnets. The ring attachment device functioning to transition the expandable rings between an expanded and non-expanded state to receive an existing medical scope.