Bipolar Snare Guide Member for Wire Twisting and Shorting Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bipolar snare devices face issues with wire twisting and shorting, leading to reduced cutting efficiency, especially when the wires are close to the end of the sheath, and struggle to completely retract the loop and connector within the sheath, resulting in incomplete tissue cutting.
Innovation Solution
A guide member within the sheath forms compartments for the conductive wires, preventing twisting and shorting while allowing the loop and insulating connector to be fully retracted, maintaining cutting efficiency by rotating and having a movable extension to accommodate the connector's entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional insulation is added adjacent to the connector to prevent wire shorting, then wire shorting is prevented, but tissue cutting efficiency is reduced when wires are close to the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is divided into a rigid portion and a flexible extension portion, each serving different functions. The rigid portion maintains wire separation, while the flexible extension can be collapsed to allow complete retraction of the loop and connector within the sheath, preventing shorting without compromising cutting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible extension portion of the guide member can dynamically change its configuration - extending to prevent wire shorting during cutting, and collapsing to allow complete retraction of the loop and connector within the sheath when needed
2Reliability
If the guide member prevents the whole loop including insulating connector from being withdrawn within the sheath, then wire twisting is prevented, but cutting effectiveness is reduced when wires are close to the end of the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is segmented into a rigid portion that prevents wire twisting by maintaining wire separation, and a flexible extension portion that can be collapsed to allow complete retraction of the loop and connector within the sheath, ensuring cutting effectiveness near the sheath end
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible extension portion dynamically adapts its configuration - maintaining wire separation to prevent twisting during operation, and collapsing to enable complete retraction of the loop and connector within the sheath for effective cutting near the distal end
3Reliability
If the extension separates the conductive wires, then wire shorting is prevented, but the extension must be rotatable within the sheath to maintain separation during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible extension portion is designed to be rotatable within the sheath, dynamically adapting its orientation as the guide member rotates. This maintains wire separation throughout rotation while preventing shorting, with the extension's flexibility allowing it to follow the rotation without compromising wire isolation
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar snare (1) comprises an elongated tubular electrically insulating sheath (2), a pair of elongated flexible electrically conductive wires (3 & 4) disposed within the sheath, and an electrically insulating connector (7) disposed at the distal ends of the wires mechanically connecting the distal ends of the wires to form a loop (8) projecting from the distal end of the sheath. The wires (3 & 4) are provided with electrical insulation (9) covering all but a selected portion (10 & 11) of each of the wires. The device also includes a guide member (12) located within the sheath (2) and forming compartments for each of the electrically conductive wires, the guide member (12) being rotatable within the sheath. The guide member (12) is also set back from the distal end of the sheath (2) to an extent such that the whole of the loop (8) including at least part of the connector (7) is capable of being received within the sheath.