Endoscopic Mucosa Separation Balloon Curving Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic mucosa resection methods face challenges in efficiently and safely separating diseased mucosa from the submucosal layer within the alimentary tract, particularly in accurately curving and positioning instruments to facilitate effective removal without causing unnecessary damage or bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A mucosa separation apparatus with a flexible balloon insertion portion and curving mechanism that allows for controlled curvature and expansion within the submucosal layer, enabling precise separation and minimization of bleeding through inflation and controlled incision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-frequency cutting instrument is used to incise and separate the submucosal layer, then the diseased mucosa can be removed, but the procedure requires frequent use of high-frequency knives which increases the risk of bleeding and procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing submucosal injection and balloon expansion before the actual resection. The balloon is inserted and expanded to separate the submucosal layer from the muscularis propria in advance, creating a safe plane for subsequent resection and reducing the need for frequent high-frequency knife use during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a balloon as an intermediary tool between the high-frequency knife and the tissue. The balloon expands to create separation and a working space, allowing the high-frequency knife to be used less frequently and more safely, thereby reducing bleeding risk and procedural complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the instrument head portion is made rigid for precise control, then positioning accuracy improves, but the instrument cannot navigate the curved anatomy of the alimentary tract
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is segmented into a flexible insertion portion and a separate operable head portion. The insertion portion can curve to navigate the alimentary tract, while the head portion can be positioned and controlled independently for precise operations, resolving the contradiction between navigability and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument employs dynamic flexibility in the insertion portion to adapt to curved anatomy, while maintaining controllability of the head portion. The insertion portion can change its curvature dynamically to follow the tract, while the head portion remains manageable for precise positioning.
3Productivity
If the balloon is expanded to separate the submucosal layer over a wide area, then resection efficiency improves, but the force required to inflate and control the balloon increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by inflating the balloon with fluid to expand it and separate the submucosal layer. This hydraulic/pneumatic expansion allows wide-area separation with controlled force, improving resection efficiency while managing the force required through fluid pressure rather than direct mechanical force.
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 apparatus enables reliable separation of the submucosal layer from the muscularis propria over a wide area, reduces the need for frequent high-frequency knife use, and effectively stops bleeding by inflating the balloon, thus enhancing procedural safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion portion disposed on a head portion of the first insertion portion, and which expands by infusion of a fluid
Data Source
AI summary
This mucosa separation apparatus includes a first insertion portion inserted to the interior of a subject, an expansion portion disposed on a head portion of the first insertion portion, and which expands by infusion of a fluid, a passage formed within the first insertion portion and connected to the expansion portion, for supplying the fluid to the expansion portion, and a curving portion which makes a head portion of an instrument inserted to the interior of the subject curve with respect to a part of the instrument which is closer to a base portion of the instrument than the head portion thereof.