Removable Sponge Sections for Endoscopic Vacuum Wound Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic and surgical treatments for gastrointestinal tract wounds, such as perforations and leaks, are invasive and have high morbidity and mortality rates, with stent placement risking migration and infection, while current endoscopic vacuum therapy devices are limited in effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A medical system comprising a delivery tube coupled to a vacuum source and a porous body with removable sections, allowing for endoluminal placement and negative pressure application to wounds, facilitated by a string for sequential removal of sponge sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If endoscopic stent placement is used to treat gastrointestinal wounds, then invasiveness is reduced compared to surgery, but the stent may migrate from the intended location and wall off infection, inhibiting drainage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidstent stability and drainage function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The porous body is divided into multiple removable sections that can be individually extracted through the delivery tube. This segmentation allows the distal portion to remain in place for continuous drainage while proximal sections are removed sequentially, preventing migration and maintaining reliable function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a static stent structure to a dynamic system where sections can be added or removed based on healing progress. The porous body sections can be selectively extracted through the delivery tube, allowing the system to adapt to changing clinical conditions while maintaining stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If surgical re-operation is performed to manage gastrointestinal wounds, then wound treatment effectiveness is improved, but morbidity and mortality rates remain high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound treatment effectivenessVSAvoidmorbidity and mortality rates
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts the need for surgical re-operation by providing an endoscopic solution. The porous body sections can be removed through the delivery tube without requiring surgical intervention, achieving effective wound management while avoiding the high morbidity and mortality associated with surgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable porous body sections act as an intermediary between the wound site and the external environment, providing effective wound management through controlled drainage and negative pressure therapy without requiring invasive surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single-piece porous body is used in endoscopic vacuum therapy, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adjust treatment and reduce physician intervention is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveporous body structureVSAvoidself-adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The porous body is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently removed through the delivery tube. This segmentation enables automatic adjustment of the device configuration based on wound healing progress, reducing the need for physician intervention while maintaining simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic adjustability through removable sections that can be extracted sequentially. This allows the system to automatically adapt to changing treatment requirements without increasing overall device complexity or requiring frequent physician visits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If multiple imaging modalities are used to monitor wound healing, then measurement precision is improved, but treatment cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound healing assessmentVSAvoidtreatment protocol
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-monitoring of wound healing through the progressive removal of porous body sections. As sections are removed and the wound heals, the device itself provides visual feedback on treatment progress, reducing reliance on expensive imaging modalities while maintaining adequate monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Facilitates less invasive wound treatment with reduced recovery time, minimized physician intervention, and enhanced wound healing by enabling controlled removal of sponge sections, reducing reliance on imaging and lowering component costs.

Implementation Method 1

a delivery tube configured to couple to a vacuum source and provide negative pressure to a distal portion of the delivery tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4110422B1Medical systems, devices, and related methods
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP4110422B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4110422B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

In one example, a medical system may comprise a delivery tube configured to couple to a vacuum source and provide negative pressure to a distal portion of the delivery tube; and a porous body at a distal portion of the delivery tube, the porous body including a first section and a second section removable from the first section.