Self-Supporting Scaffold Tissue Traction Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for lifting tissue during endoscopic procedures are complex, require additional medical tools, and increase the size and complexity of the endoscope, leading to increased cost, cognitive load, and maneuvering challenges.
Innovation Solution
A tissue traction device with a self-supporting scaffold that anchors to surrounding tissue and a tissue traction element coupled to the scaffold, allowing for secure anchoring and traction on target tissue without additional structural support elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate medical tools are used to lift tissue during endoscopic procedures, then tissue can be effectively retracted and visibility improved, but the size and complexity of the endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tissue retraction function with the endoscope by integrating a retraction element that can be deployed through the endoscope's working channel. This merging eliminates the need for separate external retraction tools, allowing tissue lifting to be performed using only the endoscope system itself, thereby maintaining ease of operation while reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a deployable retraction element that serves both as a structural component of the endoscope and as a tissue manipulation tool. This universal design allows the same device to perform both imaging and tissue retraction functions, reducing the need for additional specialized tools
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional medical tools are added to perform tissue lifting, then tissue manipulation capability is improved, but procedural cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue manipulation capability is merged into the endoscope system itself through an integrated retraction element. This eliminates the need for multiple separate tools, thereby improving adaptability while simultaneously reducing procedural complexity and associated costs
3Illumination intensity
If separate tools are used for tissue retraction, then visibility is improved, but cognitive load on the operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visibility improvement function is merged with the endoscope by integrating a retraction element that can be controlled through the same interface as other endoscope functions. This unified control approach improves visibility while reducing cognitive load by eliminating the need to manage multiple separate tools
4Ease of operation
If additional working channels are added to the endoscope for tissue retraction, then tissue lifting capability is improved, but the size of the endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction element is nested within the existing endoscope structure, utilizing the available working channel space. This nested design allows the retraction mechanism to be contained within the endoscope's existing volume, improving tissue lifting capability without increasing the overall size of the endoscope
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 device effectively lifts and retracts tissue, maintaining visibility and facilitating instrument movement during procedures, while reducing procedural complexity and cognitive load.
Implementation Method 1
the wire structure is configured to bow away from the rigid element, the wire structure engaging a first region of the tissue and the rigid element engaging a second region of the tissue spaced apart from the first region to anchor the tissue traction device with respect to the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue traction device including a scaffold structure configured to anchor the tissue traction device in place such that a tissue traction element is anchored upon deployment of the scaffold structure and without further manipulation of the tissue traction device (such as to grasp tissue or otherwise anchor the tissue traction element to tissue). The scaffold structure may be self-supporting/self-standing to be in a deployed expanded configuration to anchor the tissue traction device with respect to the tissue. The tissue traction element may be pivotably coupled to the scaffold structure, such as to a rigid element of the scaffold structure. The tissue traction element, when anchored by the scaffold, exerts a force (e.g., traction force) on a region of target tissue to which the tissue traction element is coupled, such as via a tissue engagement member.