Editor's note:

In response to the Belt and Road Initiative, and with the aim of sharing expertise and addressing shared health challenges, our hospital has launched the Overseas Promotion Program for New Medical Technologies. If you are interested in cooperating with any of the medical technologies covered under this program, please feel free to contact the International Office of WCH at faowch@163.com.

Auxiliary Use of an Overtube Device in Emergency Endoscopy for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Technology Overview

 Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common and critical emergency characterized by a sudden onset, rapid progression, and high mortality rate. Emergency endoscopy plays a key role in both diagnosis and treatment, allowing for direct identification of the bleeding source and endoscopic hemostasis. However, in cases of severe bleeding, large amounts of jelly-like blood clots often accumulate in the stomach, severely obscuring the visual field and hindering lesion exposure and hemostatic procedures. This remains a major technical challenge in emergency endoscopic hemostasis.

To address this issue, our team has developed an improved overtube device based on the small intestinal endoscope overtube, specifically designed for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. By optimizing the negative pressure suction channel and flow-guiding structure, the device can rapidly remove retained blood and clots, significantly improving endoscopic visibility. This enhancement facilitates lesion detection and increases the success rate of hemostasis.

Clinical Outcomes and Innovations

The device has been successfully applied in multiple cases of emergency UGIB. It is simple to operate, safe, and reliable. Clinical results show that it can clear most retained clots within a short time, improving the visual field clarity by approximately 70% and significantly increasing the hemostasis success rate. In addition, the device requires no equipment replacement during the procedure, effectively reducing emergency handling time and gaining valuable rescue opportunities for patients.

Key innovations include:

1. Optimized overtube structural design to enhance suction and flow guidance performance;

2. Efficient clearance of blood clots and rapid exposure of bleeding lesions;

3. Compatibility with mainstream endoscopic systems, ensuring broad applicability;

4. Authorized invention patent achieved, with successful technology transfer valued at RMB 800,000 and an additional 5% sales royalty.

Promotion and Global Application

This technology provides an efficient and safe solution for optimizing visualization during emergency management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It demonstrates strong clinical application potential, particularly in regions along the “Belt and Road” where gastrointestinal bleeding caused by liver cirrhosis, peptic ulcers, and esophagogastric varices is prevalent. With its low cost, simple structure, and ease of use and training, the device is well-suited for primary healthcare institutions and resource-limited settings.

The overtube device is expected to become an important auxiliary tool in emergency endoscopic hemostasis worldwide, significantly improving regional treatment capacity and patient outcomes.