Modular Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probes are inflexible, requiring separate units for each gastroscope configuration, leading to equipment redundancy, cumbersome cleaning procedures, and increased radiation exposure for physicians due to fixed components and lack of modular design.
Innovation Solution
A modular TEE probe design with removably coupled components, including a handle and gastroscope, and a wireless module for remote control, allowing for detachment and reassembly, reducing equipment redundancy and improving cleaning efficiency while minimizing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional TEE probes use permanently fixed gastroscopes and handles, then structural stability is maintained, but device versatility deteriorates as physicians need separate probes for each gastroscope configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The TEE probe is divided into separable modules: a handle assembly and interchangeable gastroscope assemblies. Each gastroscope can be detached and replaced with different configurations (e.g., different tip angles, lengths, or curvature) while using the same handle, allowing versatility without requiring complete probe replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of gastroscopes through standardized coupling mechanisms. This allows a single handle to serve multiple functions with different gastroscopes, reducing the need for separate probes for each configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional TEE probes use permanently fixed components, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates as different components require different cleaning procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into separable components (handle and gastroscope) that can be cleaned independently. The gastroscope, which contacts the patient's esophagus, can be cleaned with specialized gastrointestinal cleaning procedures, while the handle can be cleaned with standard medical device cleaning, avoiding cross-contamination and cleaning damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cleaning methods are applied to different parts of the device based on their specific requirements. The gastroscope receives rigorous GI-appropriate cleaning, while the handle receives appropriate but less intensive cleaning, optimizing both cleaning effectiveness and component preservation.
3Measurement precision
If physicians manually manipulate the gastroscope to maintain contact with the esophagus wall, then image quality is improved, but radiation exposure increases due to use of X-ray imaging for guidance
Solution Approach 1:
Manual manipulation of the gastroscope by the physician is replaced with an actuation system that uses mechanical actuators controlled by the physician through a console. This allows precise control of the gastroscope tip position and orientation without requiring the physician to manually manipulate the device through the esophagus, reducing the need for real-time X-ray guidance and associated radiation exposure.
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 modular design enables flexible use of gastroscopes with different configurations, simplifies cleaning, and reduces radiation exposure for physicians by allowing remote control of the TEE probe, enhancing both medical workflow and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic transducers emit ultrasonic energy in the form of ultrasonic waves to create an image of the heart. Ultrasonic waves are partially reflected by discontinuities arising from tissue structures, red blood cells, and other features of interest. Echoes, or the reflected ultrasonic waves, are received by the ultrasonic transducer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to the assessment and imaging of bodily organs, including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). For example, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a TEE probe having removable or modular components, such that the TEE probe can be disassembled and reassembled by a physician. In some embodiments, the TEE probe may be compatible with components, such as gastroscopes, having various differences in size, shape, and configuration. In some embodiments, a TEE probe may comprise a gastroscope and a handle, wherein the handle and the gastroscope are removably coupled to one another by an interface, such that when the gastroscope and handle are removably coupled, a user can control various functions of the gastroscope, such as the ultrasonic imaging of an ultrasonic transducer of the gastroscope, and the movement of a distal portion of the gastroscope.