# How a Surgical Device Temporarily Anchors in the Intestine > This patent describes a surgical device designed to temporarily attach itself to the inner wall of the intestine using a controllable suction mechanism and a radially elastic wall. - **Patent:** US 12733932 - **Original title:** Surgical device for controlled anchoring in the intestine - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, medical_devices, surgical_equipment ## What it does This surgical device, as described in the abstract, is designed to temporarily anchor itself to the mucous membrane of the inner wall of the intestine. It features a temporary anchor element with a first substantially cylindrical, multiply-perforated wall that can change its outer diameter in a controlled way due to its radial elasticity. An independent, leakproof inner sheath lines a portion of this wall, creating a suction chamber between the sheath and the perforated wall. A flexible tube connects to this suction chamber, allowing air to be injected or sucked out, which controls the device's anchoring by varying its diameter and creating suction. For example, a surgeon could use this device to hold an endoscope or other surgical tool steady during a delicate procedure inside the bowel. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover permanent anchoring devices, as this patent describes a 'temporary anchor element'. - Does not cover anchoring methods that rely solely on mechanical clamps, sutures, or adhesives, as it specifies a 'suction chamber' mechanism. - Does not cover devices that anchor in other body organs, as the abstract specifies the 'mucous membrane of the inner wall of the intestine'. - Does not cover anchoring devices where the anchoring force cannot be 'modified in a controlled manner'. - Does not cover devices lacking a 'multiply-perforated wall' or an 'independent leakproof inner sheath' to form the suction chamber. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in combining a radially elastic, perforated wall with an inner sheath to form a controllable suction chamber. This allows for precise, temporary anchoring by actively varying the device's diameter and creating suction, offering a non-traumatic way to secure a device inside a delicate organ. ## Real-world examples 1. Minimally invasive intestinal surgery 2. Endoscopic procedures requiring temporary device fixation 3. Delivery of therapeutic agents to specific intestinal locations ## Why it matters Precise, temporary anchoring is crucial for many delicate surgical procedures within the intestine, especially in minimally invasive settings. This device offers a way to secure instruments or provide traction without requiring sutures or more invasive clamping. It could improve the stability and control for surgeons, potentially leading to safer and more effective interventions in the digestive tract. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How a Surgical Device Temporarily Anchors in the Intestine cover? This patent describes a surgical device designed to temporarily attach itself to the inner wall of the intestine using a controllable suction mechanism and a radially elastic wall. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? Precise, temporary anchoring is crucial for many delicate surgical procedures within the intestine, especially in minimally invasive settings. This device offers a way to secure instruments or provide traction without requiring sutures or more invasive clamping. It could improve the stability and control for surgeons, potentially leading to safer and more effective interventions in the digestive tract. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover permanent anchoring devices, as this patent describes a 'temporary anchor element'. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733932/surgical-device-for-controlled-anchoring-in-the-intestine **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12733932 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Surgical Robots Create Working Space Inside the Body](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE48750/cftr-modulator-screening) — A surgical tool that expands inside a patient to create a stable, open workspace, allowing doctors to perform complex procedures using two independently controlled instruments. - [A Biopsy Cap with Helical Brushes for Endoscopes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733796/biopsy-cap-for-use-with-endoscope) — This patent describes a specialized cap for endoscopes that uses brushes arranged in a spiral pattern to collect tissue samples during medical procedures. - [Surgical Tool with Flexible, Articulating, and Rotating End Effectors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10736702/activating-and-rotating-surgical-end-effectors) — This patent describes a surgical tool with a flexible tip that can bend in multiple directions and also twist, allowing surgeons to precisely control instruments like graspers and cutters inside the body. - [How a Robotic Surgical Tool Clamps Tissue Manually and Automatically](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11786761/ultrasonic-robotic-tool-actuation) — This patent describes a surgical tool for robotic operations that can clamp tissue using a motor-driven yoke, but also allows a surgeon to manually control the clamping action. - [How a Surgical Robot Attaches Tools and Stays Sterile](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12127807/surgical-system-instrument-mounting) — Intuitive Surgical's patent details a robotic surgical system that securely mounts medical instruments, transfers precise movements, and ensures sterility through a unique rotating drape mechanism.