Surgical Device with Expandable Transparent Leaflets for Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices lack a comprehensive solution for accessing, visualizing, and treating therapeutic targets within the body while maintaining minimal invasiveness and effective therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device featuring an elongated flexible structure with an expandable space-creating structure, an actuator, and fluid connectors, which includes optically transparent expandable leaflets, imaging devices, and various therapeutic modalities like light emitting diodes, cameras, and ablation probes, allowing for minimally invasive access, visualization, and treatment through natural or surgically created orifices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical devices are used to access therapeutic targets, then therapy can be delivered, but visualization of the target and surroundings is insufficient and tissue disruption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the surgical system into separate functional modules: an expandable space-creating structure with transparent leaflets for visualization, imaging devices for target detection, and therapy delivery mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally with minimal interference to surrounding tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the imaging devices and therapy delivery systems are contained within the expandable space-creating structure. The transparent leaflets form an outer shell that can be expanded to create working space while allowing visual observation, with all therapeutic and imaging components nested inside this protective and visualizing envelope.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive approaches are used to access therapeutic targets, then tissue disruption is reduced, but the ability to create space and deliver effective therapy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable space-creating structure transitions from a compact, minimally invasive insertion profile to an expanded configuration that creates ample working space at the target site. The dynamic expansion of the transparent leaflets allows the device to adapt its size: small during insertion through natural orifices or surgically created openings, then large enough to provide sufficient space for imaging and therapy delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The space-creating structure utilizes flexible transparent leaflets that can be inserted in a collapsed or compressed state through minimally invasive access routes, then expanded at the target site to create a stable working cavity. The flexibility of these thin film structures allows them to navigate through tight spaces while maintaining the ability to form a rigid enough structure to support imaging and therapy components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions (access, visualization, therapy) are integrated into a single device, then comprehensive treatment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions including space creation, visualization through transparent leaflets, imaging via mounted cameras or other imaging devices, and various therapy delivery mechanisms (cauterization, ablation, etc.) into a single unified system. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive treatment of the therapeutic target without requiring multiple separate devices or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate surgical functions into one integrated device: the space-creating expandable structure merges with imaging device mounting and therapy delivery systems. The transparent leaflets serve both as structural elements for space creation and as optical elements for visualization, while therapy delivery catheters or probes are integrated within the same device platform.
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
Enables precise visualization and therapy delivery with minimal tissue disruption, facilitating access to therapeutic targets while maintaining a minimally invasive approach and effective treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
whereby said expandable structure comprises at least one optically transparent expandable leaflet
Implementation Method 2
at least one internally mounted light emitting device, and a proximal terminal comprising an actuator... whereby, said imaging device is a camera, and said light emitting device is an array of light emitting diodes
Implementation Method 3
an expandable space-creating structure mounted in the vicinity of the distal end configured for placement within a mammalian body proximate to a therapeutic target
Implementation Method 4
at least one internally mounted imaging device... whereby, said imaging device is a camera
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical devices with integrated, visualization and cauterization are described herein where such devices include an elongate structure having a central lumen and an expandable space-creating structure having at least one expandable leaflet mounted in the vicinity of the distal end and is configured for placement within a mammalian body proximate to a therapeutic target. Also included is a proximal terminal having an actuator mounted in the vicinity of the proximal end and is configured to remain outside of said body and provide an actuation mechanism for actuating the space-creating structure. Additionally, at least one fluid connector and said central lumen is in fluid communication between an interior of the expandable space-creating structure and the at least one fluid connector.