Endoscopic Porous Sponge Vacuum Therapy for GI Wound Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for perforations and wounds in the gastrointestinal tract, such as endoscopic stent placement, are invasive and have high morbidity and mortality rates, and existing endoluminal vacuum therapy devices are limited in effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A medical system comprising a source of expandable and biodegradable porous bodies, such as sponges, delivered via tubes and applied with suction to treat wounds, and a removal device with expandable arms to facilitate cage-like extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If endoscopic stent placement is used to treat GI tract wounds, then the treatment is less invasive compared to surgery, but the stent can migrate from the intended location and wall off infection, inhibiting drainage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvasiveness of treatmentVSAvoidstent stability and drainage function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous sponge material that can be inserted into the GI tract wound. The porous structure allows fluid drainage while maintaining tissue contact, preventing the migration and sealing issues experienced with stents. The sponge's physical characteristics enable it to remain in place while facilitating continuous drainage of infection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a biodegradable sponge that temporarily performs its function and then degrades. This disposable approach eliminates the need for long-term stent placement, avoiding migration issues while providing sufficient treatment duration for wound healing. The sponge degrades after completing its therapeutic purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If surgical re-operation is performed to manage GI tract wounds, then the treatment effectiveness is high, but the morbidity and mortality rates are high due to the invasive nature of surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidmorbidity and mortality rates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical surgical intervention with an endoscopic approach using a sponge and vacuum system. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive re-operation while maintaining treatment effectiveness through controlled suction and localized therapy delivered via the endoscope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sponge as an intermediary medium between the vacuum source and the wound tissue. This intermediary allows the vacuum effect to be applied locally and controllably without requiring direct surgical access, thereby achieving surgical-level effectiveness through a less invasive endoscopic route.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a porous body is delivered into the body lumen to treat wounds, then the treatment is less invasive, but the device complexity increases due to the need for delivery tubes and suction systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinvasiveness of treatmentVSAvoiddelivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sponge delivery function and the vacuum application function into a single integrated endoscopic device. The delivery tube and suction system are merged into one apparatus that can be introduced through the endoscope, simplifying the overall system while maintaining the less invasive benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscopic device serves multiple functions: it delivers the porous sponge to the wound site, applies vacuum suction for drainage, and can facilitate removal of the sponge. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining minimal invasiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides a less invasive method for wound treatment with controlled degradation and suction-assisted removal, reducing morbidity and mortality by effectively managing wounds and facilitating healing.

Implementation Method 1

The material may include a liquid phase polyurethane foam that expands and/or solidifies when in contact with moisture or air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam expansion: Foam

Implementation Method 2

The second tube may be configured to apply suction to the porous body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

The porous body may be at least partially biodegradable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS12491344B2Medical systems, devices, and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical system includes a source of a material, a first tube, and a second tube. The material is configured to expand and form a porous body after the material is deployed into a body lumen. The first tube is configured to deliver the material into the body lumen, and the second tube is configured to apply suction to the porous body.