Multi-Functional Plug for Water Aided Endoscopy Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water leakage during water aided endoscopy procedures poses challenges, as it interferes with the procedure and requires cleanup, and many endoscopic tools are not suitable for use in fluidic environments, leading to inefficiencies and risks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional plug and specialized tools are designed to create a sealed environment within the body cavity, using valves, balloons, and pumps to maintain a watertight seal, along with specialized fluids and image-enhancing solutions to improve visibility and tool functionality in a liquid environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If water is used to fill the body cavity for endoscopy, then image magnification and reduced distention are achieved, but water leakage occurs which interferes with the procedure and requires cleanup
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed plug device is introduced as an intermediary component between the body cavity and the external environment. The plug includes a base pad with an expandable portion that creates a water-tight seal at the opening, preventing water from leaking outward while allowing the cavity to remain filled with water for enhanced imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug incorporates a flexible expandable portion (such as a balloon or collapsible structure) that can be inflated to press against the walls of the body cavity opening. This flexible membrane creates an effective seal that accommodates the water-filled environment while preventing leakage, and allows tools to pass through when needed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a sealed environment is created to prevent water leakage, then water leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases due to multiple components needed for sealing and tool passage
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides sealing to prevent water leakage, creates a stable platform for tool insertion, and maintains patency of the opening. The single device integrates multiple functions that would otherwise require separate components, reducing overall system complexity while achieving effective water containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sealing function, tool passage function, and opening maintenance function into a single integrated plug device. By merging these functions into one component rather than using separate devices, the overall system complexity is reduced while still achieving effective water leakage prevention and tool accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard endoscopic tools are used in water aided endoscopy, then tool availability is maintained, but tool performance deteriorates due to fluidic environment interference
Solution Approach 1:
The plug creates a localized controlled environment at the opening where water is contained and directed. This local modification of the environment allows standard tools to function more reliably by preventing uncontrolled water exposure and interference at critical interfaces, while still maintaining the overall water-filled beneficial environment in the cavity.
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 solution effectively prevents water leakage, enhances visualization, reduces patient discomfort, and facilitates easier tissue removal by maintaining a sealed environment, allowing for more effective and safer endoscopic procedures with reduced anesthesia requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a base pad configured for insertion into an opening between a body cavity and an external environment, wherein the base pad includes an interior expandable portion which expands to retain the base pad within the body cavity
Implementation Method 2
systems, methods and devices for performing water aided endoscopy
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods and devices for performing water aided endoscopy (WAE) are provided herein. The systems include a plurality of devices designed to create a sealed environment within the body cavity, including a multi-functional plug, valves, balloons and pumps. The systems also provide specialized tools configured for operation within a liquid environment which are designed to interface with the multi-functional seal for insertion into the body cavity while maintaining the seal, including an adjustable constant shape snare. Additional features of the systems and methods include specialized fluids for increasing visibility with the body cavity, dyes and other solutions for image-enhancement and diagnostics, and software for increasing the clarity of the image in realtime.