Multimodal Endoscopic Imaging for Biliary Duct Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic cannulation procedures, such as ERCP, face challenges in accurately accessing the biliary duct due to limited visualization beyond the common entry point, leading to prolonged or failed procedures and tissue trauma from multiple attempts, as existing technologies lack effective visualization of duct anatomy and require blind maneuvering of guidewires.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a flexible elongate member equipped with a first transducer for optical imaging of the duodenal wall and a second transducer for ultrasonic or photoacoustic imaging of structures beyond the wall, along with an articulation joint and balloons, generates combined images to facilitate precise navigation and access to the biliary duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a camera is provided in the endoscope to visualize the lumen, then the visualization of the lumen wall is improved, but the visualization of duct anatomy beyond the lumen wall remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (optical imaging from the camera and ultrasound imaging from the transducer) into a single integrated system. The optical imaging visualizes the lumen wall while the ultrasound imaging penetrates the tissue to visualize duct anatomy beyond the wall, merging their capabilities to provide comprehensive visualization without requiring separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: the optical camera provides surface visualization, the ultrasound transducer provides deep tissue visualization, and both can operate simultaneously or independently. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to address both the lumen wall visualization and the duct anatomy visualization needs
2Reliability
If multiple attempts are made to access the biliary duct without adequate visualization, then the probability of successful access increases, but tissue trauma and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary visualization of the duct anatomy beyond the lumen wall using ultrasound imaging before attempting guidewire access. By obtaining advance information about the duct structure, entry point location, and anatomical variations, the operator can plan the access approach and execute it in a single attempt, avoiding repeated traumatic manipulations
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system provides real-time feedback during the cannulation procedure. The ultrasound transducer continuously monitors the position of the guidewire relative to the duct anatomy, allowing the operator to adjust the approach based on visual feedback, thereby increasing success rate while minimizing tissue trauma through precise, guided manipulation
3Productivity
If the guidewire is maneuvered blindly into the duct beyond the lumen wall, then the procedure can be completed, but the risk of accidental cannulation of the wrong duct increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound transducer acts as an intermediary between the operator and the duct anatomy. Instead of blindly maneuvering the guidewire, the operator uses the ultrasound images as an intermediate guide to visualize the duct structure, entry point, and guidewire position in real-time, ensuring accurate identification and safe navigation into the correct duct
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 device enables safe, accurate, and reliable access to the biliary duct by providing real-time multimodal imaging, reducing procedural time and adverse outcomes by enhancing visualization and guiding the guidewire through complex anatomical structures.
Implementation Method 1
The first transducer may include an optical sensor and the first image may include an optical image
Implementation Method 2
The second transducer may include an ultrasonic transducer and the second image may include an ultrasound image
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer is a sensor configured to detect sound waves generated by optically-excited targets and to generate an image based on the detected sound waves
Implementation Method 4
an energy source may be included to generate a pulse of energy to excite tissue external to the wall of the body lumen for photoacoustic imaging with the ultrasonic transducer
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are generally directed to a flexible elongate member (e.g., endoscopic accessory tool) positionable into and/or through selected anatomies, such as by generating images to position components of a flexible elongate member or to localize anatomic features, for instance. Some embodiments are directed to generating images with a plurality of imaging techniques to localize anatomic features and/or components of a flexible elongate member for one or more of inspection, orientation, and/or facilitating access to body passageways or lumens.