Medical Retrieval Basket Wire Crimp Joint

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical retrieval devices for stones and calculi often rely on costly and labor-intensive manufacturing methods, such as glue joints, which can be unreliable and difficult to control in terms of quality and repeatability.

Innovation Solution

A medical retrieval device featuring an elongated member with a crimp joint and a secondary joint, where the wires forming the basket are secured using crimping, welding, soldering, or gluing, allowing for more cost-effective and reliable construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If glue joints are used to secure the basket formation, then the device can be manufactured with simple assembly, but the manufacturing cost increases and quality control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidquality control repeatability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (glue joints) with a mechanical bonding mechanism (crimp joints). The crimp joint uses a crimping tool to mechanically deform and secure the basket wires to the elongated member, providing reliable attachment without the variability and cost associated with adhesive applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If glue joints are used to secure the basket formation, then the assembly process remains simple, but the manufacturing labor cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmanufacturing labor cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (glue joints) with a mechanical bonding mechanism (crimp joints). The crimp joint uses a crimping tool to mechanically deform and secure the basket wires to the elongated member, providing reliable attachment without the variability and cost associated with adhesive applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple securement joints are used to attach wires to the elongated member, then the connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire connection reliabilityVSAvoidsecurement joint complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the securement function into two distinct joints: a first crimp joint that provides primary mechanical attachment, and a second joint (welding, soldering, or additional crimping) that provides secondary reinforcement. This segmentation of the securement function into multiple simpler stages achieves higher reliability without requiring a single complex securement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables the production of a medical retrieval device that is both cost-effective and reliable, with secure wire connections ensuring effective stone capture and removal from organs and passages, while offering flexibility and durability.

Implementation Method 1

The elongated member and the first and second wires are secured by a crimp joint and a second joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrimping: Compression

Implementation Method 2

such joints can be secured by a cannula, welding, and/or soldering in addition to and/or instead of crimping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 3

such joints can be secured by a cannula, welding, and/or soldering in addition to and/or instead of crimping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Data Source

PatentEP3847980B1Extractor cannula securement and processing
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3847980B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3847980B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3847980B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

A medical retrieval device for retrieving stones, calculi, and the like from various organs and passages may comprising an elongated member, and a first wire and a second wire that forms a retrieval basket. The wires forming the basket and the elongated member may be secured by a crimp joint and a second joint. Processing of the device may include placing all ends of the first wire and the second wire into an elongated member through a distal end of the elongated member, moving said elongated member to a position where the first loop and the second loop start their curvatures, placing said first and second wires and said elongated member through a crimping fixture having thru cuts configured for the interlocked wires, aligning said elongated member in a desired position, and crimping said first and second wires and said elongated member.