Toroidal Balloon Vehicle for Endoscopic Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for examining and treating the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the small bowel, are limited in diagnostic ability and require invasive procedures, lacking a simple device for active and controlled access for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, transparent toroidal device with an internal propelling mechanism using rollers and a motor to invert its surfaces, allowing low friction movement and access to remote areas without sliding, equipped with cameras, light sources, and utility components for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiberoptic enteroscopy is used to examine the gastrointestinal tract, then diagnostic capability is limited to terminal regions, but the procedure is non-invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic inversion of the toroidal balloon surface through internal roller rotation, transforming from a static balloon to an actively propelling vehicle that can reach remote gastrointestinal regions while maintaining non-invasive access
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal balloon is segmented into inner and outer surfaces with distinct functions: the inner surface contacts the gastrointestinal wall for propulsion through inversion, while the outer surface provides structural integrity and low-friction movement, enabling extended diagnostic capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If invasive surgical procedures are used to access middle regions of the gut, then access to remote pathology is achieved, but patient morbidity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is self-propelled through internal inversion of the toroidal balloon surface driven by rotating rollers, eliminating the need for invasive surgical procedures or external pulling forces, thereby reducing patient morbidity while achieving access to remote gastrointestinal areas
Solution Approach 2:
The device inverts the traditional approach by having the inner surface of the balloon actively propel the device forward through inversion rather than being pulled by external forces, enabling non-invasive access to remote pathology
3Speed
If the outer device surface slides against external walls for propulsion, then movement is achieved, but friction increases and tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device inverts the propulsion mechanism: instead of the outer surface sliding against the wall, the inner surface inverts and propels the device, while the outer surface maintains low-friction contact with the gastrointestinal wall, reducing tissue damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal balloon employs flexible thin-film construction that allows smooth inversion of the inner surface for propulsion while the outer surface maintains continuous low-friction contact with the gastrointestinal wall, minimizing tissue irritation
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 active and controlled access to remote areas like the small bowel for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, improving diagnostic ability and reducing invasiveness, while allowing low friction movement and minimizing exposure to potential morbidity.
Implementation Method 1
configured for inverting the inner balloon surface and outer balloon surface, with the inversion safely propelling the apparatus without sliding of the outer balloon surface against any contacted external wall
Data Source
AI summary
A device fashioned in the shape of a toroid is rotated by a mechanism that propels itself in one or more directions based on internal rotation. In one specific example, the toroidal device is a toroidal balloon, where the tread of the toroidal balloon driven vehicle (TBDV) is self-contained and the entire outer surface is dynamic. Such a device is uniquely and ideally suitable for exploration of a tubular structure such as, but not limited to, the alimentary tract.