Endoscopic Clip Connector Release for Reloadable Tissue Ligation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip systems for endoscopic treatments lack efficient mechanisms for reloading and securely attaching clips after use, complicating the process of re-grasping tissues and ensuring reliable ligation.
Innovation Solution
A clip delivery device with a sheath, wire, and detachable clip unit featuring a movable hook and deformable connector, allowing for secure attachment and detachment of clips within an endoscope channel, enabling repeated use and reliable ligation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a clip system is designed to be reloadable after indwelling, then the productivity is improved by enabling repeated use, but the device complexity increases due to the need for detachable connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The clip system is divided into separate functional components: a sheath for delivery, a wire for actuation, a connector for attachment/detachment, and a clip unit with pressing tube. This segmentation allows the system to be reloadable while keeping each component relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire is inserted into the sheath, and the connector is provided within the sheath structure. The clip unit is nested within the sheath during delivery and can be detached and reattached. This nested arrangement enables repeated use without requiring complex external mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a detachable connector with hook and convex portion is used, then the ease of operation is improved by enabling simple attachment and detachment, but the reliability may worsen due to potential engagement issues
Solution Approach 1:
The connector features an asymmetric hook structure on the sheath side and a corresponding convex portion on the connector side. This asymmetric design provides a unique engagement geometry that ensures proper alignment and secure connection while allowing simple attachment and detachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook and convex portion design enables the connector to engage and disengage through simple relative movement between the sheath and connector, without requiring additional actuation mechanisms. The structure itself performs the attachment/detachment function through its geometric features.
3Ease of operation
If an elastically deformable connector is used to decrease diameter of distal-end portion, then the ease of operation is improved by enabling flexible attachment, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with elastic deformability, allowing its diameter to change in response to applied forces. This parameter change enables the connector to flex during attachment and detachment operations. The elastic properties are controlled through material selection and structural design to provide predictable deformation behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformability is localized to specific portions of the connector, particularly the distal-end portion that needs to engage with the sheath. This localized quality allows flexible attachment while maintaining structural integrity and controlled deformation characteristics in critical areas.
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
Enables repeated and secure attachment of clips within the endoscope channel, facilitating efficient tissue ligation and re-grasping, thereby simplifying the clip reloading process.
Implementation Method 1
The deformation portion is elastically deformable. When the wire is moved proximal to the sheath, the deformation portion is elastically deformed to decrease a diameter of the distal-end portion of the connector.
Data Source
AI summary
Clip delivery device has a sheath, a wire inserted into the sheath, and a clip detachably connected to the wire and having arms movable between an open position and a closed position. A tube is adjacent the sheath along a longitudinal axis and contains at least part of the clip and has a convex portion on an inner surface. A connector provided in the sheath has a hook detachably connected with the convex portion. The hook is movable between a first position, in which the hook engages the convex portion and is at a first radial distance from a central axis of the sheath, and a second position, in which the hook is disengaged from the convex portion and is at a second radial distance from the central axis of the sheath, where the first radial distance is greater than the second radial distance, by moving the wire.