Transnasal Catheter Balloon Stabilization for Unsedaed GI Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopy for gastrointestinal tract imaging and biopsy is invasive, requires conscious sedation, and is unsuitable for infants, young children, and debilitated adults, necessitating alternative methods that are non-invasive and do not require sedation.
Innovation Solution
A transnasal catheter system with an inflatable chamber and high-density liquid delivery system that allows for non-invasive, unsedated access to the GI tract for imaging and biopsy, using a modified nasojejunal tube with an optical probe subsystem and biopsy instruments, enabling real-time imaging and tissue sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If endoscopy is used for GI tract imaging and biopsy, then comprehensive imaging and tissue sampling can be obtained, but the procedure becomes invasive and requires conscious sedation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple functional segments including an inflatable balloon portion, imaging section, and biopsy section. The balloon can be inflated to stabilize the catheter against the GI tract wall, enabling high-quality imaging and precise biopsy without requiring deep sedation or general anesthesia
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable balloon acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the GI tract wall, providing stabilization and contact without the need for invasive fixation methods. This mediator enables comprehensive imaging and biopsy while maintaining patient comfort and avoiding the harms associated with traditional endoscopic invasiveness
2Measurement precision
If endoscopy is used for GI tract access, then imaging and biopsy can be performed, but the procedure requires specialized settings and sedation infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter integrates multiple functions including imaging, biopsy, and stabilization into a single device. The same catheter can perform both imaging and tissue sampling without requiring separate procedures or specialized equipment, thereby reducing overall procedure complexity and eliminating the need for dedicated endoscopy suites
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging section and biopsy section are merged into a single catheter assembly that can be introduced through the nose and advanced to the target location in the GI tract. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate endoscopic equipment and reduces procedural complexity while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capabilities
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a tethered capsule imaging device is used, then non-invasive access can be achieved, but existing capsules are too large to be delivered transnasally
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs an inflatable balloon that transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state. During transnasal delivery, the balloon remains deflated to fit through the nasal passage, and once positioned in the GI tract, it inflates to provide stabilization for imaging and biopsy, thus achieving non-invasive access with sufficient functional size
Solution Approach 2:
The deflated balloon and functional components are nested within the catheter structure during delivery, allowing the entire assembly to pass through the nasal passage. Upon deployment, the balloon expands outward from the nested configuration to provide the necessary contact and stabilization, effectively solving the size contradiction between delivery and function
4Measurement precision
If the inflatable chamber is made large enough to enter the small intestine and expand, then tissue capture and retrieval is enabled, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon volume dynamically changes from a minimal delivery state to an expanded functional state only when needed for tissue sampling. This dynamic volume adjustment allows the catheter to navigate the GI tract with minimal bulk, then expand to provide sufficient contact area for biopsy without permanently increasing device size
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon expansion is localized to the specific region where tissue sampling is required rather than expanding the entire catheter. This localized quality change enables adequate tissue capture capability at the target site while maintaining a compact overall device volume for delivery and navigation
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 comprehensive imaging and biopsy of the GI tract without sedation, suitable for infants and adults, providing a minimally invasive, cost-effective solution for diagnosing and treating various conditions, and is applicable in under-resourced settings.
Implementation Method 1
a high-density liquid delivery system in fluid communication with the channel, the high-density liquid delivery system delivering a high-density liquid to the inflatable chamber via the channel to cause the inflatable chamber to expand
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter including an elongated tube having a channel; an inflatable chamber coupled to the elongated tube and in fluid communication with the channel; and a high-density liquid delivery system in fluid communication with the channel, the high-density liquid delivery system delivering a high-density liquid to the inflatable chamber via the channel to cause the inflatable chamber to expand.