Adaptive Endoscope Lumen Accessory for Enhanced Target Site Access
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present disclosure relates to an improved endoscope lumen accessory that adapts to varying target site geometries, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of endoscopic medical procedures.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed an endoscope lumen accessory with a fixed expandable guide member, which may not effectively target sites with complex geometries. The present inventive concept addresses this limitation by introducing an adjustable cap and an expandable guide member that can accommodate varying target site geometries, ensuring accurate targeting and improved medical tool functionality.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptive endoscope lumen accessory comprises a cap with a built-in sensor to detect and track target site geometry, and an expandable guide member that can be adjusted based on the detected geometry. The accessory device is configured to adapt to changing target site geometries in real-time, optimizing targeting and enhancing endoscope functionality. The system can be used in various medical procedures, including advancing medical tools through one or more lumens of an endoscope to access target sites.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The present inventive concept introduces the novelty of an adjustable cap and an expandable guide member that can adapt to varying target site geometries, which is not taught by the original patent. This inventive step provides a significant improvement in targeting accuracy and efficiency, making the endoscopic medical procedures faster, safer, and more effective.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include using different types of sensors, such as optical or electromagnetic sensors, to detect target site geometry. Additionally, the expandable guide member may be designed with varying degrees of flexibility or adjustability to accommodate different target site geometries.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptive endoscope lumen accessory has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of gastroenterology, urology, and general surgery. The improved targeting accuracy and efficiency offered by the inventive concept can reduce procedure times, improve patient outcomes, and increase market share for companies that adopt this technology.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B1/00137 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/0014 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/00097 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/00098 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/00101 |
| A | A61 | A61B1/018 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically endoscopic accessory systems for minimally invasive surgical procedures, focusing on device design for precise anatomical targeting and tool advancement
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with expertise in medical device design, familiar with endoscopic technologies, surgical instrument mechanics, and adaptive medical tool configurations, typically holding a master's degree or equivalent professional experience
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that adding sensor-based geometry detection to an existing endoscope lumen accessory represents a predictable engineering enhancement. The source patent establishes a foundational design for an expandable guide member, and integrating real-time tracking capabilities would be a logical progression for improving medical device precision and functionality. The proposed variations demonstrate incremental technological improvements using known sensor and adaptive mechanism techniques.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,159 |
|---|---|
| Title | Endoscope lumen accessory and methods of use |
| Assignee(s) | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. |