Transparent Dome Endoscope for Colon Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Colonoscopies often cause patient pain due to colon stretching and risk of damage from traditional scopes with blunt edges, and existing methods require insufflation that can lead to discomfort and image obstruction.

Innovation Solution

A transparent dome structure at the distal end of the scope, which can be inflated or made of a solid cap, to minimize colon stretching, prevent damage, and maintain clear image transmission by keeping the lens away from bodily cavity walls, allowing for easier lesion identification and treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional scopes with blunt edges are used, then the scope can be inserted into the colon, but the risk of damaging or perforating the colon increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescope insertionVSAvoidcolon damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scope distal end is covered with a transparent dome that has a rounded, curved surface instead of blunt edges. This spherical/curved geometry allows the scope to navigate the tortuous S-shaped curves of the colon without creating stress concentration points, thereby reducing the risk of perforation while maintaining ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible transparent dome (balloon or membrane) is placed over the distal end of the scope. This thin film structure conforms to the curved geometry of the colon, providing a compliant interface that reduces mechanical damage risk while maintaining scope functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Loss of information

If air insufflation is used to open up the colon lumen, then the colon can be visualized, but the patient experiences increased pain due to stretching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelumen visualizationVSAvoidpatient pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent dome acts as an intermediary between the scope lens and the colon wall. It allows the colon lumen to be opened with minimal air insufflation (reducing stretching and pain) while the dome itself maintains the optical path for visualization, separating the functions of lumen opening and image transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the dome from deflated to inflated, creating a rigid or semi-rigid structure that maintains the optical path without requiring excessive air insufflation. This parameter change allows visualization with minimal colon stretching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the scope lens comes close to the colon wall, then detailed viewing is possible, but the image transmission becomes obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion visualization detailVSAvoidimage transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent dome serves as an intermediary optical element positioned between the scope lens and the colon wall. It allows the lens to maintain close proximity to the wall for detailed lesion viewing while the dome's transparency ensures unobstructed image transmission back to the observer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved surface of the transparent dome optimizes optical transmission by reducing refraction losses and maintaining a clear optical path from the colon wall through the dome to the lens, enabling detailed imaging without obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If water is used instead of air to open up the colon, then patient pain is reduced, but the colon is still stretched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient painVSAvoidcolon stretching

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent dome acts as a mechanical intermediary that maintains lumen patency and supports the colon wall, reducing the need for fluid insufflation. This allows visualization with minimal stretching regardless of whether water or air is used, primarily reducing pain through the dome's structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9775496B2Disposable and reusable complex shaped see-through endoscope

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 VISUALIZATION BALLOONS LLC

AI summary

Transparent domes useful for covering at least a lens located on a scope's distal face, taking the form of a single layer membrane affixed to the distal end of the scope, a solid cap attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the scope, or an inflatable and deflatable balloon having an exterior wall for contacting at least the lens at the scope's distal face. Methods for performing diagnostic or diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within bodily cavities including collapsed intestines using transparent domes and scopes.