Universal Endoscope Shaft With Inflatable Diameter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic procedures require multiple specialized scopes due to varying bodily openings and lumens, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A universal medical scope with an adjustable shaft that can alter its diameter and length, featuring inflatable modules and channels to accommodate different procedures, allowing for a single device to be used across various anatomies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized scopes are used for different endoscopic procedures, then each procedure can be performed with optimal scope dimensions, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal endoscope system where a single scope can perform multiple endoscopic procedures by adjusting its shaft dimensions. The scope includes inflatable balloons that can expand radially to change the outer diameter, and adjustable segments that can extend or retract to change the shaft length, allowing one scope to replace multiple specialized scopes for different procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The scope shaft is designed with dynamic, adjustable dimensions rather than fixed dimensions. The shaft length can be modified by extending or retracting segments, and the outer diameter can be changed by inflating or defating balloons. This dynamic adaptability allows the single scope to match the optimal dimensions required for different endoscopic procedures
2Device complexity
If a single universal scope is used for all procedures, then cost and device complexity are reduced, but the ability to provide optimal dimensions for each procedure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The scope incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including inflatable balloons for diameter control and extendable/retractable segments for length control. These mechanisms allow the scope to be configured with optimal dimensions for each specific procedure, maintaining procedure-specific optimization while using a single universal device
Solution Approach 2:
The scope enables continuous adjustment of critical parameters including outer diameter (via balloon inflation), shaft length (via segment extension/retraction), and viewing angle (via camera module rotation). These parameter changes allow the single scope to achieve optimal configuration for different endoscopic procedures
3Strength
If the shaft is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but maneuverability and ability to traverse bodily lumens is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into multiple segments that can extend and retract relative to each other. This segmentation allows the shaft to be flexible enough to traverse tortuous bodily lumens while maintaining structural integrity when segments are locked in position. The segmented design provides both flexibility for navigation and rigidity for structural support
4Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft diameter is increased to provide more working channels, then functionality is improved, but the ability to traverse narrow bodily openings is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft outer diameter is made dynamically adjustable through inflatable balloons. The scope can be deployed with a small diameter to traverse narrow bodily openings, then the balloons can be inflated to increase the diameter and provide space for multiple working channels. This dynamic diameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between traversability and functional capacity
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 adjustable shaft provides cost savings and clinical advantages by eliminating the need for multiple scopes, ensuring optimal dimensions for each procedure, minimizing kinking, and enhancing maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
inflation of the module alters a viewing angle of the camera relative to an axis of the distal portion of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the at least one second channel increasingly protrudes radially outwards, relative to an adjacent exterior surface of the body, when inflated from a deflated state
Implementation Method 3
the ring frictionally engages the shaft to inhibit insertion of the shaft past the ring when inserting the shaft into an opening
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device comprising a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an inflatable module at a distal portion of the shaft, the module including a camera, wherein the shaft includes a body defining a first channel extending between a first end configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid source, and a second end in fluid communication with the module, and wherein inflation of the module alters a viewing angle of the camera relative to an axis of the distal portion of the shaft.