Variable-Stiffness Endoscope Shaft for GI Looping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interventional medical devices often curve or loop within 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 flexible and rigid configurations via vacuum or pressure application, utilizing a braid angle of 5-40 degrees and a slip layer to reduce friction, enabling precise advancement and access to challenging anatomical locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible endoscope is used to navigate through the gastrointestinal tract, then the device can adapt to curved anatomy, but the device curves or loops making advancement difficult and reducing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope employs a dynamically configurable shaft that can transition between flexible and rigid states. The shaft includes a core surrounded by a braid layer and outer layer, where applying vacuum or pressure to the core causes the braid layer to tighten and rigidify, enabling precise advancement through loops. When pressure is released, the shaft returns to its flexible state for navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope utilizes pressure-induced parameter changes in the braid layer to control rigidity. By applying negative pressure (vacuum) or positive pressure to the core, the braid layer transitions from a loose, flexible configuration to a tight, rigid configuration, changing the mechanical properties of the shaft to match procedural needs.
2Ease of operation
If the endoscope is made rigid to improve precision, then tip control is enhanced, but the device cannot navigate through curved anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope shaft dynamically switches between rigid and flexible states based on the procedural phase. During navigation, the shaft remains flexible to adapt to curved anatomy. When advancement through loops is required, pressure is applied to rigidify the shaft and improve tip control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope employs periodic rigidification cycles: the shaft is rigidified by applying pressure, used for precise advancement, then returned to flexible state by releasing pressure. This periodic switching allows the device to alternate between navigation and precision work modes.
3Ease of operation
If vacuum or pressure is applied to rigidify the device, then advancement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope shaft is constructed as a composite structure with a core, braid layer, and outer layer. The braid layer is configured with gaps between strands that allow vacuum or pressure to be applied directly through the shaft wall, eliminating the need for separate rigidification components and reducing overall device complexity.
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 device provides safe, efficient, and precise access to difficult-to-reach anatomical locations by stiffening upon vacuum or pressure application, reducing looping and enhancing procedural success and safety.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet
Implementation Method 3
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
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.