Rail-Guided Tool Access Around Elevated Tissue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dissection and removal of slightly elevated tissues from a surface tissue, particularly in a cavity, is challenging, especially when non-symmetric and requires less invasive procedures like endoscopic polypectomy, due to difficulties in accessing and manipulating all sides of the tissue.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a rail that surrounds the elevated tissue and a vehicle carrying tools, allowing controlled access to all sides of the tissue, which can be inserted through an endoscope, with features like a cutting tool, imaging device, and manual or robotic movement, adapting to the tissue's contour.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional endoscopic polypectomy methods are used to access slightly elevated tissues, then the procedure is less invasive, but access to all sides of the tissue is difficult and manipulation is challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to all sides of elevated tissueVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the treatment apparatus into separate functional modules: a rail structure that provides the framework, a vehicle that travels along the rail, and interchangeable tools attached to the vehicle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to solve the access problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional linear endoscopic access to a three-dimensional approach by deploying a rail that surrounds the elevated tissue and a vehicle that travels along multiple sides of the tissue, enabling access from all directions rather than from a single endoscopic viewpoint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the rail and vehicle system is deployed to surround and access all sides of elevated tissue, then manipulation precision is improved, but the procedure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation precisionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle serves multiple functions: it travels along the rail to position itself at different locations, carries interchangeable tools for various manipulation tasks, and provides a stable platform for precise tool deployment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The rail acts as an intermediary structure that connects the endoscope to the tools, providing a stable track for the vehicle to follow. This intermediary enables precise control of tool positioning without requiring direct manipulation from the endoscope, thereby improving precision while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If cutting tools are attached to the vehicle for dissection of elevated tissue, then dissection precision is improved, but the risk of uncontrolled cutting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissection precisionVSAvoiduncontrolled cutting risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates imaging devices that provide real-time visual feedback of the tissue being dissected. This feedback loop allows the operator to monitor the cutting process continuously and make immediate adjustments to maintain precision and prevent uncontrolled cutting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The rail is positioned to surround the elevated tissue before cutting begins, and the vehicle is pre-positioned at safe distances. This preliminary setup establishes controlled boundaries and predetermined paths for the cutting tool, preventing accidental deviation into surrounding healthy tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of information

If imaging devices are integrated into the vehicle for close imaging of all tissue sides, then imaging completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging completenessVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device is merged with the vehicle, combining the functions of transportation and imaging into a single integrated unit. This allows the imaging capability to move with the vehicle along the rail, providing complete imaging coverage of all tissue sides without requiring separate fixed imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12426907B2Systems and methods for controllable access of tools to elevated tissues

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 MICROSTEER LTD

AI summary

The present subject matter provides a system for allowing controlled access of a tool to all sides of an elevated tissue in a body of a patient, the system including: a rail configured to surround the elevated tissue; and at least one vehicle configured to move along the rail and carry at least one tool configured to manipulate the elevated tissue. Also provided is a method for cutting an elevated tissue in a body of a patient, the method including: inserting a rail to a vicinity of the elevated tissue; surrounding the elevated tissue with the rail; placing a vehicle on the rail; connecting a cutting device to the vehicle; and moving the vehicle along the rail while cutting the elevated tissue with the cutting device. Additional embodiments of the system and method are disclosed herein.