Apparatus for Clearing Surgical Endoscope Field of View in a Compressed Anatomy
An endoscope is an essential tool in minimally invasive medical procedures and surgery, allowing healthcare providers to survey and operate in internal body cavities and channels through small incisions. However, despite the advancement in technology, certain issues, such as clearing space within these cavities for visual or operational access without causing injury to the surrounding tissues, have remained a challenge. Current endoscope designs involve traditional rigid devices that could expose tissue to moving parts or sharp edges. The discomfort and potential risk of damage to delicate tissues pose significant difficulties in performing vital medical procedures, thereby underlining the urgency for an innovative alternative.
Technology Description
This technology is a dynamically adjustable sheath positioned at the end of an endoscope. It is designed to expand elastically for the purpose of clearing an area within a body cavity during a medical procedure and retract within an envelope of the endoscope when not required. The sheath, possibly an elastomeric sheath, provides sufficient mechanical strength to clear space for a camera or surgical tool while ensuring adequate pliability to prevent injury to surrounding soft tissues. Furthermore, it is securely coupled between sections of the coaxial shafts of an endoscope, which can move relative to one another to facilitate the deployment or retraction of the sheath. What differentiates this technology is its ability to expand and retract selectively devoid of exposed moving parts or sharp edges, eliminating potential risks associated with conventional endoscopic procedures. This design makes it possible to tension and relax opposing ends of the sheath, thereby allowing for its expansion and retraction. Effectively, it brings about safer, less invasive procedures, leading to minimized complications and an improved patient experience.
Benefits
- Enhances safety with minimized risk of injury to delicate tissues
- Improves efficiency and effectiveness of endoscopic procedures
- Fosters surgical access in complicated and sensitive body cavities
- Offers greater control during surgical procedures by selective expansion and retraction
- Increases patient comfort during invasive procedures
Potential Use Cases
- Use in minimally invasive surgeries for safer operational access
- Application in diagnostic endoscopy for improved visualization and identification of medical conditions
- Use in surgical interventions within sensitive body cavities
- Application in exploratory surgical procedures
- Help in robotic-assisted surgeries requiring meticulous manipulation in tight spaces