Ultrasonic Microcapsule Balloon Deflation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic medical systems fail to reliably terminate balloon tracheal occlusion due to backflow check valves not effectively preventing the filler from flowing out, leading to incomplete deflation of the balloon.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a balloon made of latex filled with a microcapsule-containing filling liquid, where the microcapsules encapsulate a naturally derived essential oil that dissolves the balloon, and an ultrasonic device that emits a beam to destroy the microcapsules, allowing for controlled balloon deflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backflow check valve is used to prevent filler from flowing out, then the balloon maintains occlusion, but the valve fails to stop filler discharge when pressure rises, leading to incomplete deflation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the backflow check valve from the system entirely. Instead of relying on a mechanical valve that fails under pressure, the system uses a chemical dissolution mechanism where ultrasonic waves activate a balloon-dissolving substance to break down the balloon material, ensuring complete and reliable deflation without mechanical components that can malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical backflow check valve system with a combined ultrasonic-acoustic-chemical system. Ultrasonic waves generate acoustic streaming that activates the balloon-dissolving substance, which then chemically degrades the balloon material. This substitution eliminates mechanical failure points and provides more reliable occlusion termination.
2Reliability
If endoscopic surgery is used to break the balloon, then occlusion can be terminated, but the procedure is invasive and requires specialized medical expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical endoscopic procedures with a non-invasive ultrasonic acoustic field. The ultrasonic waves penetrate through tissue to reach the balloon and activate the dissolving substance internally, eliminating the need for surgical instruments, incisions, or specialized endoscopic equipment, thereby removing harmful invasive effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the balloon-dissolving substance as an intermediary between the ultrasonic energy and the balloon structure. This substance acts as a mediator that converts acoustic energy into chemical action, enabling the ultrasonic waves to indirectly dissolve the balloon material without direct mechanical contact or invasive procedures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ultrasonic waves are used to vaporize the liquid filler, then the method is minimally invasive, but the check valve fails to prevent filler discharge, compromising complete deflation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the backflow check valve that causes reliability issues. Instead of trying to control filler flow mechanically, the system directly targets the balloon structure itself for dissolution, ensuring complete deflation regardless of filler discharge control failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the filling liquid by incorporating a balloon-dissolving substance that remains dormant until activated by ultrasonic acoustic streaming. This parameter change transforms the filler from a simple volume-maintaining liquid to an active dissolution agent that responds to acoustic energy, ensuring complete balloon breakdown.
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 minimally invasive, easy, and assured termination of tubular organ occlusions by dissolving the balloon using the encapsulated substance, eliminating the need for invasive procedures and ensuring complete balloon deflation.
Implementation Method 1
the microcapsule is destroyable by an ultrasonic beam
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic device that emits a beam to destroy the microcapsules
Implementation Method 3
a naturally derived essential oil, that dissolves the balloon
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a filling liquid (161) for filling a balloon (170) for a method for occluding a tubular organ, including a microcapsule (162) in which a balloon-dissolving substance that dissolves the balloon (170) is encapsulated, wherein the microcapsule is destroyable by an ultrasonic beam; and a liquid that is harmless in the tubular organ and does not dissolve the balloon. Further provided is a method for terminating a tubular organ occlusion including a step of applying an ultrasonic beam to a balloon (170) that is filled with the filling liquid (161) and occludes a tubular organ, thereby breaking the balloon (170) as a result.