Endoscope Adapter With Nested Channels for Mucosal Traction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-channel flexible endoscopes lack an effective mechanism to expose the mucosal dissection surface during endoscopic surgery, leading to unclear surgical fields and increased risks of complications such as bleeding and perforations, particularly in procedures like Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD).
Innovation Solution
An endoscope adapter with an inner and outer sleeve configuration that provides an additional outer channel for a robot arm assembly, allowing an end effector to reach desired surgical positions, combined with a manipulator system to control the robot arm's movements, enhancing surgical precision and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-channel flexible endoscope is used, then the endoscope structure is simple and easy to operate, but the surgical field visibility is poor and mucosal dissection surface cannot be effectively exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter contains an inner channel and an outer channel nested within each other, allowing the endoscope to pass through the inner channel while the robot arm assembly moves through the outer channel. This nested structure enables dual-functionality without requiring separate independent systems, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and surgical field visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-channel (one-dimensional) endoscope to a dual-channel (two-dimensional) adapter system by adding the outer channel for robot arm assembly while maintaining the inner channel for the endoscope. This dimensional expansion enables both endoscopic visualization and robotic manipulation simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If specially designed endoscopes with mucosal traction methods are used, then the surgical field of mucosal dissection surface is enhanced, but the device complexity increases and mucosal traction gradually disappears during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is segmented into distinct functional components: the inner channel for endoscope passage, the outer channel for robot arm assembly, and the separator structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced mucosal dissection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device between the endoscope and the robot arm assembly, providing a dual-channel interface that enables both tools to work simultaneously without direct interference. This mediator structure eliminates the need for complex specially designed endoscopes while maintaining surgical field enhancement.
3Manufacturing precision
If a dual-channel adapter is added to the flexible endoscope, then the robot arm assembly can reach desired positions for better surgical field exposure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the endoscope through the inner channel, accommodates the robot arm assembly in the outer channel, provides structural support via the separator, and enables both endoscopic visualization and robotic manipulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices, thereby managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner channel and outer channel are nested within the adapter structure, with the endoscope passing through the inner channel and the robot arm assembly moving through the outer channel. This nested configuration maximizes space utilization and enables dual functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an endoscope adapter and an auxiliary instrument for endoscopic surgery. The endoscope adapter includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve includes an inner channel configured for accommodating a distal end of an insertion portion of the endoscope. The outer sleeve is sleeved on the inner sleeve, and capable of defining an outer channel between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, and the outer channel is configured for accommodating and providing a space for pushing and drawing a robot arm assembly having an end effector.