Advanced Endoscope Lumen Accessory with Flexible Shaft
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present disclosure relates to an improved endoscope lumen accessory that enables access to target sites within a body through a flexible shaft with rigid and flexible sections, allowing for multiple directional access and enhanced structural support.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed an endoscope lumen accessory with a fixed expandable guide member. However, this design limited the accessibility of target sites due to its rigid structure. The present inventive concept addresses this limitation by introducing a flexible shaft that can be bent in multiple directions, providing greater versatility and ease of access to target sites.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The advanced endoscope lumen accessory comprises a shaft with a flexible section and a rigid section, connected to a handle at the proximal end. The flexible section is designed to be bent in multiple directions, enabling access to target sites from different angles. The rigid section provides structural support to the flexible section, ensuring stability during navigation. The accessory device can be used in conjunction with an endoscope, allowing for precise targeting and manipulation of the target site.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces a flexible shaft with rigid and flexible sections, which is a significant departure from the original patent's fixed expandable guide member. This innovation enables multiple directional access to target sites, overcoming the limitations of the original design.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include varying the material composition or dimensions of the flexible and rigid sections, or incorporating additional features such as sensors or imaging modalities to enhance the accessory device's functionality.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The advanced endoscope lumen accessory has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of gastroenterology, urology, and general surgery. The ability to access target sites from multiple angles and with enhanced structural support could lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced procedure times.
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 devices for minimally invasive surgical procedures, focusing on device design for targeted medical interventions
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in endoscopic technologies, familiar with mechanical design principles, material science, and surgical instrument configurations
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that introducing flexible shaft sections to an existing endoscope accessory design represents a predictable engineering variation that enhances device maneuverability and access to target anatomical sites. The core functional elements of the original patent's expandable guide member are fundamentally preserved, with the flexible shaft providing an incremental improvement in directional control and navigation. Such modifications align with standard design optimization strategies in medical device engineering.
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. |