Pre-attached Grasping Loop for Endoscopic Sponge Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for endoluminal negative pressure therapy in the gastrointestinal tract face challenges in simplifying handling, shortening procedure duration, and enhancing safety, particularly when treating anastomotic insufficiencies and abscesses, due to complexities in inserting and positioning fluid collection bodies within branching cavities.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a sponge body with a suction hose and a pre-attached barrel loop, designed for precise endoscopic placement, which includes a grasping loop for easy handling and secure attachment to endoscopic instruments, allowing for efficient and safe application of negative pressure therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fluid collection body is inserted into a branching cavity using conventional methods, then the wound cavity can be accessed for therapy, but the handling becomes complex and the procedure duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidinsertion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching a grasping loop to the fluid collection body before insertion. This allows the device to be easily grasped and positioned by endoscopic instruments, simplifying the insertion process into branching cavities while ensuring accurate placement without requiring complex manipulation during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The grasping loop serves as an intermediary element that facilitates the interaction between the endoscopic instrument and the fluid collection body. This mediator enables easy handling and precise positioning of the device within the complex branching cavity structure, reducing both insertion complexity and improving placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the fluid collection body is made small enough to fit in branching cavities, then accessibility is improved, but the ability to collect sufficient fluid is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollection body sizeVSAvoidcavity accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by designing the fluid collection body with a conical shape that tapers to a smaller tip, allowing it to navigate branching cavities effectively. The segmented design enables the distal end to access narrow cavity openings while the larger proximal portion provides sufficient fluid collection capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between size and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the insertion procedure is simplified, then the procedure duration is reduced, but the precision of placement may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoidplacement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-attached grasping loop enables simplified handling and faster insertion procedures. The loop is prepared in advance, allowing endoscopic instruments to quickly grasp and position the fluid collection body without requiring complex manipulation steps, thus improving procedure efficiency while maintaining placement precision through controlled positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simplifies the insertion and positioning of the sponge body, reduces the risk of accidental displacement, and ensures precise application, thereby improving the safety and efficacy of negative pressure therapy by facilitating better fluid drainage and wound closure.

Implementation Method 1

negative pressure is created in the wound cavity using a drainage tube and a vacuum pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

fluids are aspirated via the fluid collection body and the suction tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3496685B1Holding loop for suction bodies for endoluminal negative pressure therapy
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 PAUL HARTMANN AG
  • EP3496685B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP3496685B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3496685B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for use in negative pressure therapy for endoluminal wound sites in the gastrointestinal tract. The device comprises a foam body and a suction hose that is non-detachably connected to said foam body. A holding loop already mounted by the manufacturer is provided on the device, which allows insertion of the foam body into the wound area.