Sinusitis Balloon Catheter with Endoscopic Imaging for Radioscopy-Free Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sinusitis treatment methods require radioscopy for accurate positioning of balloon catheters, which exposes patients to X-rays and is not minimally invasive.
Innovation Solution
An otorhinolaryngological treatment device featuring a first elongated body with an imaging unit for guiding a second elongated body with an expansion body, allowing for accurate positioning of the expansion body in the stenosed natural ostium without radioscopy, using markers or contact sections visible in the imaging unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radioscopy is used for positioning the balloon catheter, then positioning accuracy is improved, but patient exposure to X-rays increases and invasiveness worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/radiological imaging system (radioscopy) with an optical imaging system (endoscope) to achieve positioning. The endoscope provides visual feedback through the nasal cavity, allowing the balloon catheter to be positioned accurately without X-ray exposure, thus substituting one imaging modality for another that is safer for the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an endoscope as an intermediary device that provides visual information about the nasal cavity and natural ostium. This intermediary imaging system allows the operator to position the balloon catheter accurately without directly exposing the patient to ionizing radiation, acting as a mediator between the operator and the patient's anatomy.
2Measurement precision
If a fluoroscopic apparatus is used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and treatment invasiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex fluoroscopic apparatus with a simpler endoscopic system. The endoscope is a minimally invasive device that can be easily introduced through the nasal cavity and provides sufficient visual information for positioning the balloon catheter, eliminating the need for large-scale radiological equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of imaging (visualizing the nasal cavity and natural ostium) from the complex fluoroscopic system and implements it through a simpler endoscopic device. By taking out only the necessary imaging capability and implementing it through a minimal invasive approach, the system achieves positioning accuracy without the complexity of a full fluoroscopic apparatus.
3Ease of operation
If the balloon catheter is positioned without imaging guidance, then invasiveness is reduced, but positioning accuracy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces blind mechanical insertion with optically-guided insertion using an endoscope. The endoscope provides real-time visual feedback, allowing the operator to accurately position the balloon catheter in the natural ostium without excessive invasiveness, combining the benefits of both guided and minimally invasive approaches.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Subject] There is provided an otorhinolaryngological treatment device in which positioning of an expansion body inside a nasal cavity can be easily carried out without need for radioscopy. [Solution] A sinusitis treatment device includes: a flexible first elongated body 11 to be guided into an accessory; an imaging unit 15 which is provided on the first elongated long body 11, for obtaining an image on the front side of a distal end of the first elongated body 11; a flexible second elongated body 12 having a lumen in which the first elongated body 11 is inserted; an expansive body 13a which is provided on the second elongated body 12 and which has an effective expansive section 13a capable of radial expansive deformation within a natural ostium located between a nasal cavity and a paranasal sinus to push open a stenosed part of the natural ostium; and a positioning unit M which is provided on the second elongated body 12 , for positioning the effective expansive section 13a of the second elongated long body 12 moved along the first elongated body 11 relative to the first elongated body 11.