Viscoelastic Lining and Dynamic Valve for Reflux Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices fail to effectively address reflux from the stomach to the oesophagus and lack efficient mechanisms for delivering therapeutic agents to the alimentary canal, particularly due to dynamic muscular structures and viscoelastic properties that complicate drug delivery and tissue contact.
Innovation Solution
A medical device featuring a valve member that mimics the natural oesophageal sphincter, gradually transitioning between open and closed configurations, and a lining member with a viscoelastic, polyurethane foam structure for sustained drug delivery, ensuring uninterrupted contact with the oesophageal tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve member is used to prevent reflux, then reflux prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to be dynamically movable between open and closed configurations, allowing it to adapt to different physiological states. This dynamic capability enables effective reflux prevention while maintaining simplicity through natural motion rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member utilizes the natural peristaltic motion of the esophagus to automatically open and close, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems. The device serves itself by leveraging the body's own physiological rhythms to achieve reflux prevention.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a lining member with viscoelastic material is used for drug delivery, then sustained drug delivery is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lining member utilizes changes in viscoelastic properties over time to control drug release. The material's gradual transition from a relaxed state to a contracted state naturally regulates the duration of drug delivery, extending the therapeutic action without requiring complex sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic lining member automatically regulates its own drug release profile through its material properties, eliminating the need for external monitoring systems. The material's inherent time-dependent behavior provides sustained delivery while avoiding the complexity of detection and measurement systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve member moves gradually from open to closed configuration, then the physiological mimicry is improved, but the duration of action increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member's gradual transition from open to closed configuration is achieved through controlled changes in material stress and geometry. This parameter change approach allows the valve to mimic physiological closure timing while maintaining an extended duration of action that benefits reflux prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic motion of the valve member from open to closed configuration is designed to match natural esophageal sphincter behavior. This dynamic approach improves physiological mimicry while the extended duration ensures continuous protection against reflux throughout the entire closure phase.
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 effectively prevents reflux and maintains prolonged contact with the oesophageal tissue for targeted drug delivery, overcoming the challenges of viscoelastic behavior and dynamic muscular structures, ensuring efficient and sustained treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a lining member (204) for lining part of an inner surface of the oesophagus (202) and/or the stomach (201)... the lining member (204) is of a viscoelastic, polyurethane foam material
Data Source
AI summary
A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an esophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the esophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the esophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the esophagus (202).