Concentric-Tube Tissue Ligation for One-Handed Band Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

It is challenging for medical professionals to position a ligation device accurately and deploy elastic bands around hemorrhoids using existing ligation devices, often requiring the surgeon to remove their guiding hand, leading to potential loss of positioning.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a plunger and two concentric tubes allows for the deployment of multiple preloaded bands using one hand, featuring a sealing member for suction and engagement members that facilitate axial movement to deploy bands efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the surgeon removes the guiding hand from the ligation device to deploy the band, then the band can be deployed, but the device position is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveband deploymentVSAvoiddevice positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deployment mechanism is integrated into the ligation device handle, allowing the surgeon to deploy bands while maintaining guidance. The release mechanism combines the band deployment function with the positioning function in a single integrated system, eliminating the need to remove the guiding hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A mechanical release mechanism acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's hand and the band deployment system. This intermediary allows band release through a controlled mechanical action while the guiding hand remains in place, mediating between the need for deployment and the need for positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single ligation band is delivered per application, then the device structure is simple, but multiple applications require repositioning the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidrepositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple ligation bands are pre-loaded into the device during manufacturing or before use. This preliminary action of loading multiple bands eliminates the need for repeated device insertion and repositioning, as all bands are readily available for sequential deployment from the same positioned device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple bands are nested within the device structure, with each band contained in its own compartment or storage location within the handle. This nesting arrangement allows multiple bands to be housed in a compact configuration, enabling sequential deployment without requiring device repositioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 precise and efficient deployment of elastic bands around hemorrhoids without losing device position, allowing for sequential ligation without repositioning, thus simplifying the procedure and enhancing operational ease.

Implementation Method 1

A plunger is provided, which provides upon retraction a suction force on the distal tip of the instrument

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4117544B1Devices for tissue ligation
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP4117544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4117544B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4117544B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices, ligators, and methods for deploying ligation bands around a portion of tissue. In some embodiments, a medical device may include a plunger biasable within a first tube, the first tube including a band along a first tube distal end. The medical device may further include a second tube surrounding the first tube, the second tube comprising a second tube proximal end opposite a second tube distal end, wherein the second tube distal end includes an engagement member operable to dispense the band from the first tube in response to axial movement of the first and second tubes relative to one another.