Endoscopy Band with Sigmoid Support for Colonoscope Advancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
During colonoscopy procedures, the colon often becomes over-distended or loops unnaturally, hindering the advancement of the colonoscope, leading to patient discomfort, longer examination times, and potential inaccuracies, and requiring manual pressure that can cause musculoskeletal injuries to healthcare providers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that apply broad, uniform lower abdominal pressure and additional location-specific pressure to the sigmoid colon using a primary abdominal wrap and a secondary strap or insert to prevent looping, reducing the need for manual pressure and enhancing patient safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pressure is applied by surgical technician to support the patient's colon, then the advancement of the colonoscope is facilitated, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and dependent on the assistant's strength and technique
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service by allowing the patient's own body weight and positioning to generate the necessary pressure on the sigmoid colon, eliminating the need for continuous manual assistance from surgical technicians during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The device is positioned and secured on the patient's abdomen before the colonoscopy procedure begins, pre-establishing the pressure mechanism that will facilitate scope advancement throughout the entire procedure without requiring real-time manual adjustment
2Ease of operation
If manual pressure is applied by surgical technician, then colonoscope advancement is facilitated, but the procedure becomes dependent on the assistant's strength, technique, and training
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts the patient's own body characteristics (weight, positioning) into the pressure mechanism, ensuring consistent and reliable force application that does not vary based on the operator's strength or technique
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows for adjustable pressure parameters through positioning and securing mechanisms, enabling optimization of the pressure applied to the sigmoid colon based on individual patient anatomy and procedure requirements
3Ease of operation
If the patient is rolled from left side to supine or prone position to apply differential pressure, then advancement is facilitated in larger patients, but this is difficult with a sedated patient and may cause discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The device acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates patient positioning into controlled pressure on the sigmoid colon, eliminating the need for extreme positioning maneuvers that would discomfort the patient
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables pressure application through controlled positioning parameters rather than requiring extreme position changes, maintaining patient comfort while achieving the necessary mechanical effect
4Reliability
If manual pressure is continuously applied during the procedure, then looping is prevented, but healthcare providers are at risk of musculoskeletal injury
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs the loop-prevention function autonomously through the patient's own body mechanics, completely eliminating the physical strain on healthcare providers that would result from continuous manual pressure application
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves as an intermediary that absorbs and manages the mechanical forces required to prevent looping, protecting healthcare providers from direct exposure to these forces and the associated injury risk
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopy sigmoid support apparatus that includes a primary wrap sized for placement around a subject's lower abdomen. A closing mechanism is provided at the end of the primary wrap to secure the primary wrap around the abdomen of the subject by attaching a first end of the primary wrap to a second portion of the primary wrap. A strap extends from the primary wrap and is configured to extend across at least a portion of the primary wrap and to fasten to a third portion of the primary wrap to adjust the amount of pressure applied by the endoscopy sigmoid support apparatus.