Vacuum-Rigidizing Braided Tubes for Curved Anatomy Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interventional medical devices often curve or loop through the anatomy, making advancement difficult, particularly in gastrointestinal procedures, leading to prolonged procedures, patient discomfort, increased perforation risk, and impaired precision due to gastrointestinal looping.
Innovation Solution
A rigidizing device with an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer, and an outer layer, configured to transition between rigid and flexible configurations via vacuum or pressure application, allowing for controlled advancement and access to challenging anatomical locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid endoscope is used to maintain stiffness and precision, then tip control precision is improved, but the device cannot navigate curved or looped anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope employs dynamic rigidity control through inflatable lumens that allow the shaft to transition between rigid and flexible states. The system dynamically adjusts rigidity based on operational needs: rigid when precision is required, flexible when navigation through curved anatomy is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope changes its mechanical parameter (rigidity) by controlling fluid pressure in inflatable lumens. By varying the inflation pressure, the shaft's rigidity is modified to match the anatomical environment, resolving the contradiction between maintaining precision and adapting to curved paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible endoscope is used to navigate curved anatomy, then adaptability is improved, but tip control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope transitions from flexible to rigid state when precision work is required. The dynamic rigidity control mechanism ensures that the shaft maintains flexibility during navigation but provides rigid tip control during intervention, eliminating the trade-off between adaptability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rigidity parameter by controlling fluid pressure in the inflatable lumens. When precision is needed, pressure is applied to rigidify the shaft; when navigation is required, the pressure is released to allow flexibility, thus resolving the contradiction.
3Strength
If the endoscope shaft is made rigid to improve stiffness, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope shaft dynamically changes its stiffness through inflatable lumens. The shaft is rigid when inflation pressure is applied for precision work, but becomes flexible when pressure is released for navigation, eliminating the permanent trade-off between strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical property of stiffness is changed by controlling fluid pressure in the lumens. The system can switch between high stiffness (when inflated) and low stiffness (when deflated), allowing the shaft to adapt to different operational requirements without compromise.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid structure is used to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but ease of insertion and manipulation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope employs dynamic structural transformation through inflatable lumens. During insertion, the shaft remains flexible for ease of manipulation through curved anatomy. During operation, the lumens are inflated to provide structural stability and rigid shape, eliminating the trade-off between stability and ease of insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural stability parameter is changed by controlling fluid pressure in the lumens. The shaft transitions from an unstable, flexible state during insertion to a stable, rigid state during operation, allowing both ease of insertion and structural stability without compromise.
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 safe, efficient, and precise access to difficult-to-reach anatomical regions by maintaining stiffness when needed and flexibility when required, reducing procedural time and discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet
Implementation Method 2
The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.