Endoscopic Clip Cartridge Locking for Secure Sheath Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic clip units are difficult to load into introduction devices efficiently, particularly due to the challenge of securely attaching and aligning the clip unit with the power transmission portion through a sheath.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge system with a case that accommodates the clip unit, featuring a distal-end opening for insertion, a proximal-end opening for the sheath, and a locking portion that regulates the clip unit's movement, allowing secure connection with the power transmission portion through a sheath.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cartridge accommodates a clip unit with self-expanding force, then the clip unit can be stored and transported, but the clip unit is difficult to load into the introduction device efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into distinct functional regions: a distal-end opening for clip unit insertion, a proximal-end opening for sheath insertion, and a locking portion. This segmentation allows independent access and operation for loading the clip unit and sheath separately, improving loading efficiency while maintaining storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates the connection between the clip unit and the sheath. It regulates the relative movement between these components and enables their secure attachment, solving the loading efficiency problem while preserving the storage function
2Ease of operation
If the clip unit is allowed to move freely in the accommodation region, then insertion from the distal-end opening is easy, but the clip unit cannot be securely connected with the power transmission portion
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion provides dynamic regulation of clip unit movement. It allows free movement during the insertion phase from the distal-end opening, then transitions to a locked state that secures the connection with the power transmission portion. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and connection security
3Reliability
If a locking portion is added to regulate clip unit movement, then secure connection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion is implemented as a localized feature within the cartridge structure rather than a comprehensive complex mechanism. It provides the necessary connection security at the specific location where the clip unit interfaces with the power transmission portion, achieving reliability without excessive overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge system includes a clip unit having a plurality of arms being openable and closeable; and a connection member that is connectable with a power transmission portion inserting through a sheath, and a case having an accommodation region in which the clip unit is accommodated; a distal-end opening provided at a distal-end side of the accommodation region and into which the clip unit is insertable; a proximal-end opening provided at a proximal-end side of the accommodation region and into which the sheath is insertable; and a locking portion configured to allow a movement of the clip unit being inserted from the distal-end opening toward the accommodation region and regulate a movement of the clip unit from the accommodation region toward the distal-end opening.