Endoluminal Probe Rod Structures Prevent Tissue Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoluminal negative pressure therapy probes risk adhesion to the tissue forming the lumen wall, limiting their duration of use and necessitating frequent changes, which is a challenge in wound healing processes.

Innovation Solution

A probe system with a base body featuring rod-shaped and/or lamellar structures on its outer surface, designed to maintain a distance from the lumen wall, combined with a two-lumen tube for efficient suction and irrigation, and optional radiopaque marking for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sponge is integrated into the probe body for fluid collection, then comprehensive drainage of wound secretions is achieved, but the probe carries a significant risk of adhesion to the lumen wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidadhesion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the sponge component from the probe body and replaces it with a fluid collection chamber formed by a balloon. This extraction eliminates the adhesion problem caused by the sponge while maintaining the fluid collection function through the balloon's reservoir capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The balloon serves multiple functions: it collects wound secretions in its chamber, provides negative pressure through expansion, and prevents adhesion by maintaining a spacing effect between the probe body and lumen wall. This multi-functionality replaces the single-function sponge while improving overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of substance

If a sponge is used in the probe body, then wound secretions are absorbed, but the probe must be changed frequently due to adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecretion absorptionVSAvoidprobe retention time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the sponge and replacing it with a balloon-based fluid collection chamber, the invention eliminates the adhesion that limits probe retention time while maintaining secretion collection capability through the balloon's reservoir function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the fluid collection mechanism from absorptive (sponge) to capacitive (balloon chamber). This parameter change allows for longer probe retention time as the balloon can be emptied or deflated and re-expanded without requiring probe replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple probe system changes are performed during healing, then adhesion risk is managed, but treatment time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion managementVSAvoidtreatment duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Removing the sponge component eliminates the root cause of adhesion, allowing the probe to remain in place for the entire healing process without requiring frequent changes, thus reducing treatment time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The balloon is designed with excessive capacity to collect all wound secretions throughout the healing period, eliminating the need for intermediate probe changes and reducing overall treatment time despite the larger single-component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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 system reduces adhesion risk, allows long-term use, enhances suction efficiency, and promotes wound healing through tissue stimulation, while ensuring effective secretion drainage and medication delivery.

Implementation Method 1

These rod-shaped and/or lamellar structures ensure that the respective wall of the body opening or body cavity into which they are inserted is spaced away from the base body and cannot be sucked into openings of the base body of the probe body by negative pressure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical spacing:

Implementation Method 2

Negative pressure therapy, also known as vacuum therapy, is a treatment method in which negative pressure is applied to a chronic or acute wound or inflamed area and usually maintained continuously or periodically over a longer period. This can contribute to improved wound healing, for example, by effectively suctioning wound secretions.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure suction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

optional radiopaque marking for precise positioning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiopacity: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4311561B1Probe system for endoluminal negative pressure therapy
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 ATMOS MEDIZINTECHN
  • EP4311561B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4311561B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4311561B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A probe system (100) for endoluminal negative pressure therapy is provided, comprising a probe tube (11, 110, 210, 310) and a probe body (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) connected to the probe tube (11, 110, 210, 310), which includes a base body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92) with an inner lumen (13, 23) and with at least one opening (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95) extending from the inner lumen (13, 23) through an outer wall of the base body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92) to an outer surface of the base body. (12,22,32,42,52,62,72,82,92) has, in which the probe body (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) has several rod-shaped structures (14,24,34,84) and/or at least one lamellar structure (44,54,64,74,84,94) on the outside of the base body (12,22,32,42,52,62,72,82,92).