Wireless Steerable Endoscope Magnetic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes for minimally invasive surgery require additional incisions, cause surgical access trauma, and obstruct the surgical site due to their shaft design, limiting steerability and increasing the risk of instrument interference.
Innovation Solution
A wireless, shaftless, steerable endoscope system that uses magnetic control for remote positioning and orientation within the body, allowing for real-time image transmission and multiple simultaneous views without the need for additional incisions, reducing trauma and improving surgical access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid or semi-rigid endoscope with shaft is used, then real-time image transmission is achieved, but additional incisions are required causing surgical access trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the rigid shaft component from the endoscope system, retaining only the essential imaging and wireless transmission functions. This eliminates the need for large incisions required by traditional shafted endoscopes, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable image transmission and surgical trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft-based positioning system with a magnetic field-based steering and positioning system. The endoscope is guided through the body using external magnetic fields rather than a rigid mechanical shaft, eliminating the need for large incisions while maintaining real-time imaging capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the endoscope shaft is inserted through the same incision as other instruments (LESS/SPA), then fewer incisions are made, but the shaft causes endoscope-instrument fencing and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shaft component entirely, replacing it with a flexible, magnetically-guided capsule. This extraction eliminates the physical obstruction and fencing effect that shafted endoscopes create when sharing an incision with other instruments, while still allowing access through minimal incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible capsule design without a rigid shaft, allowing the endoscope to navigate through tight spaces and share incisions with other instruments without causing fencing or interference. The flexible structure adapts to the surgical environment without obstructing other tools.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible endoscope is used for natural orifice inspection, then minimal incisions are required, but the shaft is difficult to steer without a lumen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical steering mechanisms (which require lumens and cables) with a magnetic field-based steering system. External magnets guide the flexible endoscope through the body and into position, providing excellent steerability without requiring a rigid shaft or complex mechanical steering components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control mechanism from mechanical (physical manipulation of shafts and cables) to magnetic (external field application). This parameter change enables precise steering of the flexible endoscope through tissue without requiring lumens or complex mechanical structures.
4Reliability
If the endoscope shaft remains in place during surgery, then continuous monitoring is maintained, but the shaft occupies surgical space and collides with other instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible capsule design that can be repositioned easily during surgery. The thin, flexible structure occupies minimal space and can be moved out of the way when not needed, while maintaining continuous monitoring capability through wireless transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the endoscope from a static, shaft-based system to a dynamic, magnetically-steerable capsule. The endoscope can be moved, repositioned, and adjusted during surgery as needed, occupying minimal space when not actively monitoring, while maintaining continuous image transmission.
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 system reduces surgical access trauma, enhances steerability, and allows for safer, more efficient minimally invasive procedures by eliminating the need for additional incisions and providing a wider field of view with multiple, independent video angles.
Implementation Method 1
an external controller containing means for remotely controlling the position and/or the orientation of the endoscope within the body cavity by way of a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
the wireless steerable endoscope is magnetically anchored inside the body cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A new steerable endoscope for minimally invasive surgery is provided. The endoscope system includes: a wireless steerable endoscope (1), an external magnetic controller (2) and an image/video display (3). The wireless steerable endoscope (1) could be inserted through an incision (4-1) on the body skin (4) and be anchored/steered inside the body cavity by the external magnetic controller (2). It is shaftless, wireless, and can be steered inside the body, operating in a remote manner. Compared with existing endoscopes, it neither requires additional incision nor does it occupy trocar or port space. Without the endoscope shaft, the surgical access trauma and incision size can potentially be reduced, avoiding endoscope-instrument fencing. It can be placed remotely from the access incision, providing an improved and wider field of view. It is soft-bodied and compact in structure, therefore safety is high. More than one wireless endoscope can be placed into the operating cavity, providing simultaneous multiple video images of different viewing angles. These features allow safer, more efficient and less traumatic surgery by reducing trocar size or number.