Reusable Biopsy Forceps Flush Port and Replaceable Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy forceps face challenges with inadequate cleaning of the interior, excessive medical waste due to frequent replacement of catheter tubes and jaw assemblies, and dull jaws leading to tissue perforation or tearing, as they lack a combination of replaceable components and effective interior cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
Reusable biopsy forceps with a flush port system for interior cleaning and coupling systems for replacing the catheter tube and/or jaw assembly, allowing for pressurized cleansing solutions to dislodge biologics and extend the life of the device by enabling replacement of worn-out parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If biopsy forceps are designed as inseparable units, then manufacturing and initial use are simplified, but the interior of the forceps becomes soiled during use and cannot be adequately cleaned for sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy forceps is divided into separable components including a handle, catheter tube, and jaw assembly that can be detached from one another. This segmentation allows each component to be cleaned and sterilized independently, solving the problem of soiled interiors that cannot be adequately cleaned in inseparable designs.
2Reliability
If the catheter tube and jaw assembly are replaced after every use to ensure cleanliness, then cleaning adequacy is improved, but excessive medical waste is created
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire catheter tube and jaw assembly after each use, the design allows for cleaning and reuse of these components. The separable structure enables thorough cleaning of the interior surfaces, allowing the components to be recovered and reused multiple times, thereby reducing medical waste.
3Device complexity
If biopsy forceps are designed with fixed jaws, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to obtain appropriate tissue samples varies by organ size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly is designed with adjustable or interchangeable jaw sizes that can be changed during or between procedures. This dynamic capability allows the physician to select the appropriate jaw size for different organs and tissue sample requirements, enhancing adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
4Device complexity
If the jaws are used repeatedly without replacement, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the jaws become dull leading to tissue perforation or tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly is designed as a separable component that can be removed, cleaned, refurbished, or replaced independently from the handle. This allows the jaws to be recovered through refurbishment when dull, or replaced when worn, preventing tissue damage while maintaining relative device simplicity by only replacing the necessary component.
5Ease of repair
If conventional machining methods are used to sharpen the jaws, then ease of repair is improved, but the jaw edges become rough and unsuitable for tissue sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical machining methods with electrosharpening technology that uses electrical current and chemical solution to sharpen the jaws. This substitution produces smooth, precise jaw edges suitable for tissue sampling while remaining an accessible repair method. The handle includes an electrosharpening apparatus with electrical contacts and fluid delivery systems to perform this refined sharpening process.
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 reduces the frequency of replacing biopsy forceps, decreases medical waste, and ensures sharpness, thereby minimizing tissue damage and patient risk while maintaining effective sampling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
injecting the fluid through an inlet under enough pressure to dislodge any material that has been left inside the biopsy forceps
Implementation Method 2
This electrosharpening method sharpens the jaws by delivering an electric current to the jaws in a chemical solution and removes any imperfections in the jaws edges
Data Source
AI summary
Reusable biopsy forceps having a handle located at the proximal end and an end jaw assembly located at the distal end. The handle and jaw assembly are connected by a flexible catheter tube. The handle includes a handle body, fluid inlet assembly, and catheter tube coupling. The jaw assembly consists of a housing composed of a first and second portion, which holds a pair of opposed jaws and a distal actuator. The distal actuator is connected to the handle by an operating cable located inside the catheter tube. The handle controls the jaws and contains a flush port to sterilize the interior of the catheter tube and the end jaw assembly. The reusable biopsy forceps may contain a locking mechanism that is attached to the arms of the biopsy forceps handle in order to aid in taking tissue samples.