Medical Clip Applicator Link Mechanism for Reloadable Tissue Ligation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for ligating tissues inside the body face challenges in efficiently reloading clips and re-grasping target tissues without disrupting the engagement of the operation wire and clip unit, leading to incomplete or inaccurate treatment.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a clip unit and operation wire mechanism featuring a link mechanism that transitions between engagement and disengagement configurations, allowing for easy reloading and re-grasping of clips, utilizing a convex portion and accommodation portion to maintain secure attachment during operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation wire and clip unit are engaged by inserting a hook into a notch portion, then the clip unit can be securely attached to the operation wire, but the device cannot be easily reloaded with new clips or re-grasped without disrupting the engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism transitions between a first configuration (disengaged state) and a second configuration (engaged state). The convex portion can be inserted into the accommodation portion to engage the clip unit with the operation wire, or withdrawn to disengage and allow reloading. This dynamic reconfigurability enables easy reloading while maintaining secure engagement during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism is divided into separate components: a convex portion on the link and an accommodation portion on the operation wire. This segmentation allows the convex portion to be independently inserted into or withdrawn from the accommodation portion, enabling the link to transition between engaged and disengaged states for reloading operations.
2Reliability
If the convex portion is inserted into the accommodation portion to maintain engagement, then the attachment is secure, but the device lacks flexibility for reloading and re-grasping operations
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is designed to dynamically transition between configurations. The convex portion can be positioned inside the accommodation portion for secure attachment during ligation, or outside the accommodation portion for reloading and re-grasping operations. This dynamic design provides both secure attachment and operational flexibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the link mechanism remains in a fixed engagement configuration, then the connection is stable, but reloading and re-grasping of target tissues becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism transitions between a first configuration where the convex portion is outside the accommodation portion (allowing easy reloading and re-grasping) and a second configuration where the convex portion is inside the accommodation portion (providing stable connection during treatment). This dynamic reconfigurability resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes a clip having an arm member and a pressing tube configured to receive the arm member; an applicator having an operation wire configured to advance and retract to open and close the arm member and a sheath configured to accommodate the operation wire; and a link configured to engage the operation wire with the clip and transition between an engagement configuration in which the clip and the operation wire is engaged with each other and a release configuration in which the engagement of the clip and the operation wire is released.