Implantable Stomach Wall Stretching Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices fail to effectively create a sensation of satiety by actively stretching the stomach wall, limiting their ability to manage weight and appetite in patients.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical device with multiple members fixated to different portions of the stomach wall, equipped with an operation device that displaces these members to stretch the stomach wall, utilizing flexible and hinged mechanisms, and potentially hydraulic or mechanical systems, to mimic the natural stretching effect of food ingestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the medical device uses rigid members for stretching the stomach wall, then the stretching effectiveness is improved, but the device cannot adapt to the curvature of the stomach and insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible members that can bend and conform to the curved surface of the stomach wall while maintaining their stretching function. This flexibility allows the device to adapt to the anatomical curvature of the stomach, solving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity for effective stretching and adapting to the curved biological surface.
2Reliability
If the medical device uses rigid members for stretching the stomach wall, then the stretching effectiveness is improved, but the insertion difficulty and trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where members can change their configuration. During insertion, the flexible members can be compressed or folded to reduce profile, and once implanted, they can be activated to provide the necessary stretching force, thus resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and stretching effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the medical device provides strong stretching force, then the sensation of satiety is improved, but the risk of tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable parameters that allow the stretching force to be modulated according to patient needs and tissue tolerance. This enables the system to provide sufficient stretching force to create satiety sensation while maintaining control over the force magnitude to prevent tissue damage, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety.
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 creates a sensation of fullness by stretching the stomach wall, potentially aiding in weight management by reducing appetite, through controlled and adjustable stretching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
at least the second member is configured to bend or pivot in relation to the main portion
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic operation device for operating the second member to displace the second member
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for actively stretching a stomach wall of a patient for creating a sensation of satiety. The medical device being implantable and comprising a first member configured to be fixated to a first portion of the stomach wall, a second member configured to be fixated to a second portion of the stomach wall, an operation device for operating the second member to displace the second member in a first direction relative to the first member, for stretching the stomach wall between the first and second portion.