Biopsy Cap Housing Interlock to Prevent Split-Half Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope biopsy cap housings and caps suffer from component breakage, increased procedural complexity, and prolonged procedure times due to separation of center-split halves under radial and lateral forces during medical instrument exchange.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy cap and cap housing design featuring center-split halves with angled locking members and stabilizing members that interlock, along with a skirt region and grip region for enhanced stability and secure attachment to the endoscope biopsy port, allowing for improved stress distribution and reduced separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If center-split halves are used for the biopsy cap housing, then ease of assembly and device flexibility are improved, but separation of the halves under radial and lateral forces causes component breakage and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into first and second center-split halves that can be assembled separately around the biopsy cap and endoscope, providing ease of assembly and flexibility during the procedure while maintaining the ability to secure the components together
Solution Approach 2:
Locking members are pre-configured on the center-split halves to automatically engage with complementary features on the biopsy cap and endoscope upon assembly, ensuring secure attachment before radial or lateral forces are applied during instrument exchange
2Reliability
If locking members are added to prevent separation of center-split halves, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members are integrated into the center-split halves themselves rather than being separate components, combining the housing structure and locking mechanism into a single unified design that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining attachment security
Solution Approach 2:
The locking members are designed to automatically engage with complementary features on the biopsy cap and endoscope through the natural assembly process, eliminating the need for separate locking actions or additional control mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
A biopsy cap assembly, comprising: a first housing portion comprising: a first portion partially defining an upper chamber; a second portion partially defining a lower chamber; and a second housing portion comprising: a first portion partially defining the upper chamber; a second portion partially defining the lower chamber; and wherein mating surfaces of the first and second housing portions are configured to interlock to define the upper and lower chambers; and a biopsy cap disposed within the upper chamber.