Endoscopic Clip Unit Orientation for Narrow-Lumen Tissue Grasping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip devices for endoscopic treatment face challenges in efficiently and effectively grasping and securing tissue, particularly in narrow lumens, due to limitations in the design of the clip unit and applicator system, which hinder precise positioning and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A clip device with a clip unit that transitions between configurations, allowing the arms to face the same or intersect the longitudinal axis direction, facilitated by a sheath and a wire system, enabling flexible deployment and secure grasping of tissue through a combination of frontal and tangential approaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the clip unit uses a fixed configuration where the arm always faces the longitudinal axis direction, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the clip unit cannot effectively grasp tissue in narrow lumens or at angles
Solution Approach 1:
The clip unit is designed to be movable relative to the sheath, transitioning between a first configuration where the arm faces the longitudinal axis direction and a second configuration where the arm faces an intersecting direction. This dynamic capability allows the clip unit to adapt to different tissue positions and angles, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the clip unit is separably connected to the sheath, then the clip unit can be easily loaded and removed, but the connection may be less stable during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clip device is divided into separable components: the sheath and the clip unit. The clip unit can be easily loaded into and removed from the sheath through the opening, facilitating convenient operation. The separable design allows for efficient loading and unloading while maintaining operational reliability during use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm of the clip unit always faces the longitudinal axis direction, then the deployment is straightforward, but the clip unit cannot approach tissue from tangential directions
Solution Approach 1:
The clip unit incorporates the capability to change its orientation relative to the sheath, transitioning between a first configuration (arm facing longitudinal axis) and a second configuration (arm facing intersecting direction). This dynamic repositioning enables the clip unit to approach tissue from both frontal and tangential directions, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A clip device includes a clip unit having an arm which opens and closes toward a front direction, a wire connected to the clip unit, and a sheath through which the wire is inserted and which extends in a longitudinal axis direction, in which the clip unit is separably connected to a distal end part of the sheath, and the clip unit is transitionable between a first configuration in which the front direction of the arm faces the same direction as the longitudinal axis direction and a second configuration in which the front direction of the arm faces a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis direction.