Viscoelastic Composition for Endoscope Field-of-View Clearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing the field of view of an endoscope are inadequate when opaque dark-colored liquids or semi-solid materials obstruct the view, particularly in scenarios involving hemorrhages, leading to difficulty in identifying and treating the site.
Innovation Solution
A viscoelastic composition with specific properties of hardness, viscosity, and loss tangent, combined with low electrical conductivity, is used to push aside obstructing materials and secure a clear field of view, facilitating simplified hemostasis treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is conveyed into the canal to wash away obstructing liquid or semi-solid material, then the field of view is temporarily secured by removing the obstructing material, but the liquid or semi-solid material mixes with tap water forming opaque suspended liquid that diffuses in the canal, making it difficult to secure the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
A viscoelastic composition is introduced as an intermediary substance between the endoscope and the obstructing liquid/semi-solid material. This composition has specific viscoelastic properties that allow it to physically displace obstructing materials without mixing with them, thereby securing the field of view while preventing the formation of opaque suspended liquids that would diffuse in the canal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the flushing medium by using a viscoelastic composition with specific viscosity, elasticity, and loss tangent values. These parameter changes enable the composition to effectively push aside obstructing materials while maintaining clarity and preventing diffusion, thus resolving the contradiction between temporary field of view security and reliable field of view security.
2Ease of operation
If gas is conveyed into the canal to remove liquid or semi-solid material, then the field of view is temporarily secured, but when there is a hemorrhage site, removing blood is difficult and the field of view is not secured
Solution Approach 1:
The viscoelastic composition serves as an effective intermediary that can push aside blood and other obstructing materials at hemorrhage sites. Its specific viscoelastic properties enable it to effectively remove blood without mixing, thereby securing the field of view reliably even in hemorrhage scenarios where gas conveyance failed.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the physical parameters of the flushing medium to a viscoelastic composition with specific viscosity and elasticity values, the system achieves reliable field of view security at hemorrhage sites. The composition's parameters enable it to effectively displace blood while maintaining clarity, solving the problem of failed blood removal with gas conveyance.
3Reliability
If a viscoelastic composition with high viscosity is used to push aside obstructing materials, then the field of view is secured, but the composition may be difficult to convey through the endoscope channel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the viscosity parameter of the viscoelastic composition to a specific range (200-2000 mPa·s at 25°C). This parameter change enables the composition to be conveyable through the endoscope channel while still maintaining sufficient viscosity to push aside obstructing materials and secure the field of view effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting the loss tangent parameter within the range of 0.05-2.0, the composition achieves the right balance between elasticity and fluidity. This allows the composition to be easily conveyed through the endoscope while still possessing the elastic properties needed to effectively displace obstructing materials and maintain field of view security.
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 viscoelastic composition effectively clears the field of view by physically displacing obstructing substances without mixing, allowing clear visualization and enabling effective hemostasis treatments like electrocoagulation.
Implementation Method 1
a viscoelastic composition having elasticity together with viscosity is useful
Implementation Method 2
the viscoelastic composition comprising a thickening substance and water
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a viscoelastic composition having excellent operability, which is suitable for use in securing the field of view of an endoscope when opaque dark-colored liquid accumulates inside a canal and obstructs the field of view of the endoscope, the viscoelastic composition securing the field of view by pushing the liquid aside, and to provide a method for securing the field of view of an endoscope using the viscoelastic composition. The viscoelastic composition for securing the field of view of an endoscope comprises a substance having viscoelastic properties and water, preferably has a hardness of 550 N/m2 or less, a viscosity (25° C.) of 200 to 2,000 mPa·s, and a loss tangent of 0.6 or less, and more preferably has an electrical conductivity of 250 μS/cm or less. The method for securing the field of view of an endoscope comprises feeding the viscoelastic composition from a proximal part of the endoscope, through a channel, into a distal part of the endoscope.