Variable-Stiffness Sponge Pipeline for Natural Orifice Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current natural orifice surgical instruments face challenges due to insufficient flexibility of the pipeline, which can cause damage to the natural orifice and inadequate stiffness for stable and accurate surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
A sponge-based variable-stiffness support structure is introduced, featuring a variable-stiffness sponge pipeline with a hydrophobic breathable film and a gas delivery assembly that adjusts stiffness by controlling water vapor content, providing flexibility for insertion and stability for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pipeline is made flexible to avoid damage to the natural orifice, then the flexibility is improved, but the stiffness is insufficient to ensure stability and accuracy of the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline incorporates a variable stiffness mechanism that allows it to dynamically change its mechanical properties. The pipeline can be adjusted from a flexible state during insertion to a stiff state during surgical operations, resolving the contradiction between needing flexibility for navigation and stiffness for stable manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline uses controllable parameters (such as internal pressure, temperature, or material properties) to change its stiffness characteristic. By adjusting these parameters, the pipeline transitions between flexible and stiff states, simultaneously satisfying the requirements for both easy insertion and stable operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pipeline is made stiff to ensure stability and accuracy of operation, then the stability is improved, but the flexibility is insufficient which causes damage to the natural orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline employs a dynamic stiffness adjustment mechanism that allows it to be flexible during insertion (reducing damage risk) and stiff during operations (ensuring stability). This temporal separation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between avoiding tissue damage and providing operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline is designed to be flexible in advance during the insertion phase to navigate the natural orifice safely, then transitions to a stiff state for the surgical operation phase. This preliminary flexible state prevents damage before the stable stiff state is needed for precision work.
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 variable-stiffness support structure enhances flexibility for easy insertion and reduces tissue damage, while also providing sufficient stiffness for stable and accurate surgical operations, addressing the limitations of existing pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
a gas delivery assembly connected with the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline, and configured to inject high-pressure air and water vapor into a variable-stiffness sponge pipe of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline; wherein the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline has a stiffness inversely proportional to content of the water vapor
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic breathable film attached to an outer wall of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline, and configured to isolate the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline from body fluid in the natural orifice
Data Source
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AI summary
A sponge-based variable-stiffness support structure for natural orifice surgical instrument is to support the surgical instrument and includes: a variable-stiffness sponge pipeline connected with the natural orifice surgical instrument and configured to support the natural orifice surgical instrument in a natural orifice; a hydrophobic breathable film attached to an outer wall of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline, and configured to isolate the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline from body fluid in the natural orifice; and a gas delivery assembly connected with the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline, and configured to inject high-pressure air or water vapor into a variable-stiffness sponge pipe of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline; wherein the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline has a stiffness inversely proportional to content of the water vapor.