Basket-type grasping forceps discharge mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Basket-type grasping forceps struggle to extract large foreign matter from ducts, such as bile ducts, as the foreign matter becomes lodged between the wires, requiring complex procedures to discharge the matter before extracting the forceps.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a discharge mechanism with a support member and operating wire that allows for relative movement between the support member and basket wires, enabling the foreign matter to be moved from a dense to a sparse region of the basket, facilitating its removal by adjusting the basket's shape to discharge the object through the sparse region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the basket wires are arranged closely to hold foreign matter effectively, then the grasping capability is improved, but the foreign matter cannot be discharged smoothly from the basket

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrasping capabilityVSAvoiddischarge smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The basket part is divided into two distinct regions: a distal portion with closely arranged basket wires for effective grasping and holding of foreign matter, and a proximal portion with sparsely arranged basket wires that serves as a discharge region. This segmentation allows the basket to perform both functions - secure holding and easy discharge - by utilizing different wire arrangements in different spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the basket part have different wire arrangement densities tailored to their specific functions. The distal portion has closely arranged wires optimized for grasping and holding foreign matter securely, while the proximal portion has sparsely arranged wires optimized for allowing foreign matter to be discharged smoothly. Each local region's structure is optimized for its specific operational requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If large pieces of foreign matter are held in the basket, then the collection capability is improved, but the basket cannot be extracted from the duct together with the foreign matter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign matter collectionVSAvoidextraction difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The basket part is segmented into a distal portion for collecting and holding large pieces of foreign matter and a proximal portion with sparse wire arrangement that serves as an exit path. This segmentation enables the basket to collect substantial foreign matter while maintaining a designated discharge region through which the foreign matter can be easily removed before basket extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basket structure is pre-configured with a proximal portion having sparsely arranged wires that serves as a predetermined discharge path. This preliminary structural arrangement allows foreign matter to be easily discharged from the basket before extraction, preventing extraction difficulties without requiring complex post-collection maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the basket wires are arranged sparsely to allow foreign matter discharge, then the discharge capability is improved, but the grasping capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge capabilityVSAvoidgrasping capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The basket part is divided into functional zones: the distal portion with closely arranged wires provides strong grasping capability for collecting foreign matter, while the proximal portion with sparsely arranged wires provides effective discharge capability. This spatial segmentation ensures that neither function compromises the other, as each zone is optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basket structure implements local quality optimization by varying wire arrangement density across different regions. The distal portion features dense wire arrangement for secure grasping, while the proximal portion features sparse wire arrangement for easy discharge. Each local region's structure is specifically tailored to maximize its designated function without negatively impacting the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3081177B1Basket-type grasping forceps
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP3081177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3081177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3081177B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a discharge mechanism of basket-type gripping forceps according to the present invention, a support member can advance and retract relative to a plurality of basket wires, the position of the support member can be fixed, and an object inside a basket part is discharged to the outside of the basket part from a portion of the basket part proximal to the basket wires by movement of the support member and the basket part relative to each other.