Pressure-Activated Rigidizing Overtube With Hemostasis Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gastrointestinal looping during endoscopic procedures impedes advancement of medical devices, causing procedural delays, patient discomfort, and increased risk of perforation, and similar issues arise in accessing difficult anatomical locations.
Innovation Solution
A rigidizing device with a braid layer and outer layer, configured to transition between flexible and rigid configurations via vacuum or pressure application, allowing precise advancement and access to body lumens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid endoscope is used to maintain straight configuration, then advancement through gastrointestinal tract is improved, but flexibility to navigate curves and loops is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope employs a dynamically adjustable rigidity system where the shaft can transition between flexible and rigid states. A rigidity control mechanism, positioned distally of the articulation mechanism, allows the operator to dynamically adjust the rigidity of the shaft based on the specific anatomical conditions encountered during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope utilizes parameter changes in the rigidity characteristic of the shaft. By controlling the rigidity parameter through the rigidity control mechanism, the system can adapt the shaft's mechanical properties to match different tissue densities and anatomical structures, enabling both navigation through curves and maintenance of straight configuration when needed.
2Length of stationary object
If the endoscope shaft is made longer to reach distant targets, then access to anatomical locations is improved, but control precision and maneuverability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope shaft is segmented into multiple sections with the articulation mechanism positioned at a specific location. This segmentation allows the proximal section to be longer for reaching distant targets while the distal section maintains maneuverability through the articulation capability, effectively decoupling the length requirement from the control precision requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism serves as an intermediary between the proximal control section and the distal working section. It translates and amplifies the operator's input motions, providing precise control over the distal tip position and orientation even when the overall shaft length is increased for accessing distant anatomical locations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tip articulation mechanism is added to improve maneuverability, then navigation through curves is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to malfunction are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanism is localized to a specific region of the shaft rather than being distributed throughout. This localized articulation mechanism provides the necessary maneuverability at the distal tip while keeping the rest of the shaft structure relatively simple, thereby limiting the overall complexity and reducing susceptibility to widespread malfunction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the tip articulation mechanism is added to improve maneuverability, then navigation through curves is improved, but reliability and susceptibility to malfunction are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By localizing the articulation mechanism to a specific distal region, the design minimizes the complexity and potential failure points throughout the overall device. The simplified structure outside the articulation region maintains high reliability while the localized mechanism provides the necessary maneuverability when needed.
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
Enables safe, efficient, and precise access to gastrointestinal and other anatomical locations by maintaining a stiffer configuration when needed, reducing looping and enhancing procedural success.
Implementation Method 1
The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet
Implementation Method 2
The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube having a lumen extending therethrough, a variable stiffness layer, a bladder layer configured to push against the variable stiffness layer when pressure is applied, and a hemostasis valve integrated at a proximal end of the elongate flexible tube in fluid communication with the lumen wherein the rigidizing device is configured to change between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration in which the bladder layer limits the plurality of strand lengths from moving relative to each other when pressure is applied.