Telescopic Barrel System for Endoscopic Tissue Cauterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic procedures face challenges in precisely cauterizing tissue due to the risk of inadvertently damaging healthy tissue with sharp, heated instruments, and existing methods often result in imprecise removal of mucosal tissue from submucosal tissue.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic barrel system comprising a proximal and distal barrel with lumens, where the distal barrel is moveable and equipped with an electrocautery member, allowing for controlled cauterization of tissue within the barrels' lumens, reducing the risk of damaging surrounding tissue and enabling precise tissue removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sharp, pointed and/or heated cutting instrument is advanced distal to the endoscope, then tissue cauterization can be performed, but the risk of inadvertently cauterizing or searing healthy or non-target tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a barrel system as an intermediary device between the endoscope and the cutting instrument. The barrel acts as a protective mediator that guides and constrains the cutting instrument, allowing precise tissue engagement while preventing unintended contact with surrounding healthy tissue. The barrel's lumens and structural components provide a controlled pathway that eliminates the need for free-hand manipulation of sharp instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting instrument is segmented into multiple functional components within the barrel system: the barrel itself, the cutting instrument advanced through the barrel, and the electrocautery member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the barrel provides structural guidance and protection, while the electrocautery member delivers controlled thermal energy only to the targeted tissue within the barrel's confines.
2Productivity
If an extended cutting instrument is used to separate the gallbladder from the liver, then tissue dissection can be performed, but precision and safety of the dissection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel system serves as a precision intermediary that maintains the operator's control over the cutting instrument throughout the dissection process. The barrel's rigid structure and lumens provide a stable framework that ensures the cutting instrument follows a precise, predetermined path, eliminating the imprecision associated with extended free-hand manipulation while enabling complete gallbladder separation from the liver.
3Productivity
If a snare or other mechanical instrument is used to remove mucosal tissue, then tissue removal can be performed, but precision of mucosal tissue separation from submucosal tissue decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel system acts as a precision intermediary that enables controlled electrocautery application. The electrocautery member positioned within the barrel's lumen allows for precise thermal energy delivery to the mucosal layer, achieving clean separation from the submucosal layer without the imprecision inherent in mechanical snares. The barrel's structural constraints ensure the electrocautery member contacts only the intended target tissue.
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 system allows for precise cauterization and removal of target tissue by varying the positioning of the distal barrel, minimizing the risk of incising unwanted tissue and enabling the removal of larger tissue segments through a compact, expandable design.
Implementation Method 1
At least one electrocautery member is disposed within the lumen of the distal barrel and configured to cauterize at least a segment of tissue pulled into the lumen of the proximal and/or distal barrels
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for facilitating cauterization of tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a proximal barrel and a distal barrel, which are coupled together and moveable with respect to one another. At least a portion of the proximal barrel may be coupled to an endoscope to secure the apparatus to the endoscope. At least one electrocautery member is disposed within a lumen of the distal barrel and configured to cauterize at least a segment of tissue pulled into a lumen of the proximal barrel and/or the lumen of the distal barrel.