Steerable Elongate Device Navigation for Inaccessible Lesions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive medical procedures for treating target tissue within anatomical passageways, such as lung bronchoscopic procedures, face challenges in navigating flexible elongate devices to inaccessible lesions and efficiently deploying treatment tools due to limitations in control and navigation systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a flexible elongate device with a lumen, where a hollow sheath and needle are extended to a target location, allowing for tool deployment and treatment, with optional anchoring and retracting mechanisms to facilitate precise and effective treatment within anatomical passageways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible elongate device is used to navigate through anatomical passageways to reach target tissue, then access to inaccessible areas is improved, but control and navigation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate device is divided into multiple steerable sections along its length, with each section capable of independent angular adjustment. This segmentation allows the device to navigate complex anatomical passageways while maintaining control precision through modular steering mechanisms at each section.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic steering control that allows real-time adjustment of the elongate device's orientation and curvature during insertion and navigation. This dynamic control enables precise positioning at the target site while adapting to the flexible anatomical pathways.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (hollow sheath, needle, tool) are used for treatment deployment, then treatment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested configuration where the needle is contained within the hollow sheath, and both are integrated within the elongate device. This nesting allows multiple treatment components to be delivered through a single access point while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow sheath serves multiple functions: it protects the needle during insertion, provides a conduit for tool deployment, and can be extended or retracted as needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Measurement precision
If the hollow sheath is extended along the needle to the passageway exit site, then precise positioning is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow sheath is pre-positioned within the elongate device and can be rapidly extended along the needle to the target site. This preliminary preparation allows for quick deployment and precise positioning without requiring time-consuming manual adjustments during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises deploying a tool to a passageway exit site through a lumen of a flexible elongate device. The flexible elongate device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and the lumen therebetween, and the tool comprises a needle. The method further comprises puncturing a passageway wall at the passageway exit site with the needle. The method further comprises deploying the needle through the passageway wall and through target tissue at a target location beyond the passageway wall. The method further comprises deploying an instrument to perform treatment on the target tissue at the target location. The instrument is deployed within the tool and through a perforation created in the target tissue by the needle.