MicroFlex Endoscope with SMA Actuated Skeleton
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopes lack the flexibility and dexterity to effectively access and visualize all sinus structures and lung airways, limiting their ability to perform diagnostic and surgical procedures with precision and safety, particularly in areas like chronic sinusitis and lung cancer diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
The development of a microdexterous endoscope apparatus with actuated structural skeletons and shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements, allowing for precise control of bend states and movement, enabling small diameter access to previously inaccessible areas with integrated heating and sensing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If endoscope diameter is reduced to access small sinus structures and lung airways, then accessibility to previously inaccessible areas is improved, but structural strength and flexibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by articulation joints, allowing the distal end to bend and navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining structural integrity of individual segments. This segmentation enables the endoscope to access small sinus structures and lung airways without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope incorporates articulation joints that provide dynamic bending capability, allowing the distal end to change orientation and reach inaccessible areas. The rigid segments maintain structural strength while the joints enable flexibility and adaptability to navigate complex anatomical structures.
2Length of moving object
If endoscope diameter is reduced, then accessibility to small spaces is improved, but dexterity and flexibility for precise manipulation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by articulation joints, allowing the distal end to bend and navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining structural integrity of individual segments. This segmentation enables the endoscope to access small sinus structures and lung airways without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope incorporates articulation joints that provide dynamic bending capability, allowing the distal end to change orientation and reach inaccessible areas. The rigid segments maintain structural strength while the joints enable flexibility and adaptability to navigate complex anatomical structures.
3Measurement precision
If direct visualization and access to sinus structures is improved, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but risk of complications from proximity to sensitive structures is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by articulation joints, allowing the distal end to bend and navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining structural integrity of individual segments. This segmentation enables the endoscope to access small sinus structures and lung airways without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope incorporates illumination sources that light up the visual field, enabling clear visualization of sinus structures and lung airways. This improved lighting enhances diagnostic accuracy by allowing physicians to clearly see tissue characteristics while the controlled navigation reduces risk to adjacent sensitive structures.
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
This solution provides enhanced flexibility and control, allowing for direct visualization, tissue sampling, and treatment in small spaces, reducing complications and improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes in sinus and lung procedures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actuated structural skeleton at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the actuated structural skeleton comprises a plurality of indirectly heated shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators secured to a SMA structural skeleton
Implementation Method 2
The SMA layer is indirectly heated by a heater element, which causes the actuator to straighten
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a MicroFlex Scope (MFS). The MFS is a dexterous endoscope providing access, direct visualization, tissue sampling, and treatment, of body lumens. In one embodiment, the distal end of the MFS is an ultra-flexible tip that comprises a plurality of thin, curved shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements attached to at least one structural skeleton, a coil spring skeleton or hinge structure. The SMA actuator elements in each structural skeleton segment are indirectly heated by a heater element and produce force in response to their temperature relative to specific thresholds. In configurations comprising a plurality of actuator elements, multiplexing/demultiplexing of heating currents and sensor voltages may be accomplished via a parallel bus and demultiplexing circuit. In this regard, a demultiplexing circuit using standard microelectronic fabrication techniques may be designed to achieve individual sensing and control over each actuator element.