Propellable Apparatus with Inflatable Support for Variable Diameter Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propellable apparatuses face challenges in navigating body cavities and lumens of varying diameters, as they either cannot accommodate the necessary size changes to avoid injury or discomfort, particularly when transitioning through narrow regions like strictures or sphincters, while maintaining effective propulsion.
Innovation Solution
A propellable apparatus with an inflatable and deflatable support structure, such as an impermeable bladder, that can selectively change its outer diameter to match the cavity or lumen dimensions, allowing for both increased propulsive force in larger diameters and reduced size for passage through narrower areas, utilizing inflation and deflation mechanisms controlled by pressure sensors and tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the propellable apparatus maintains a large outer diameter to provide sufficient propulsive force against cavity walls, then propulsion effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus cannot pass through narrow regions such as strictures or sphincters
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs an inflatable support structure that can dynamically change its outer diameter from a first diameter when inflated to a second, smaller diameter when deflated. This dynamic size adjustment allows the apparatus to maintain a large diameter for effective propulsion in wider cavities while being able to compress to a small diameter to pass through narrow regions such as strictures or sphincters, thereby resolving the contradiction between propulsion force and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the apparatus's outer diameter by controlling the inflation and deflation state of the support structure. When inflated, the support structure provides a larger outer diameter for enhanced propulsive force; when deflated, it reduces the outer diameter to enable passage through narrow anatomical regions. This parameter change allows the apparatus to adapt to different operational requirements.
2Force
If the propellable apparatus uses an inflatable support structure to increase outer diameter for propulsion, then propulsive force is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible inflatable support structure, such as an impermeable bladder or balloon, to provide the necessary diameter adjustment capability. These flexible shell structures can be inflated to increase the outer diameter for propulsion and deflated to reduce it for navigation, offering a relatively simple and elegant solution compared to more complex mechanical expansion systems.
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 and effective navigation through varying diameter body cavities and lumens by adjusting the apparatus's diameter in real-time, enhancing propulsion force while minimizing risk of injury and discomfort, and allowing for operator-controlled adjustments during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable support structure can be selectively inflated to bias an outer surface of the one or more rotatable membranes outward to engage a cavity or lumen wall at a first outer diameter. The deflatable support structure can be selectively deflated and deformable inward... to provide a membrane second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter.
Implementation Method 2
The propellable apparatus can propel or drive one or more rotatable membranes, such as one or more rotatable belt-like membranes, to create a propulsion force against a cavity or lumen wall. This propulsion force can aid in advancing or withdrawing the endoscope or other payload instrument.
Data Source
AI summary
A propellable apparatus comprises one or more rotatable membranes. The rotatable membranes include an inner surface at least partially defining an encircled region and a continuous outer surface that turns outward to engage a cavity or lumen wall, for example, and turns inward to at least partially encompass a central region defining a longitudinal path. The membranes are powerable to provide movement relative to the cavity or lumen wall. The apparatus further comprises an inflatable and deflatable support structure, configured to bias the outer surface of the membranes outward to engage the cavity or lumen wall at a first outer diameter, and be deformable inward in response to a compressive force or operator command to provide a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. In some examples, the rotatable membranes include belt-like membranes, and the inflatable and deflatable support structure includes at least one impermeable bladder.