Coupling Member Segmentation for Endoscopic Tool Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatment tools with cylindrical coupling members experience radial deformation during fixing, leading to increased diameter and potential gaps between the coupling member and the sheath, causing wobbling of the needle tube during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A treatment tool design featuring a coupling member with a large diameter portion matching the sheath's internal diameter and a smaller fixing portion, fixed by caulking or brazing, to prevent radial deformation and maintain stability within the sheath.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the coupling member is fixed by caulking or brazing, then the connecting member and treatment part are reliably fixed, but the radial deformation increases the diameter causing gaps between the coupling member and sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is divided into two distinct portions: a large diameter portion that maintains dimensional accuracy and fits within the sheath, and a fixing portion that undergoes radial deformation during caulking or brazing. This segmentation allows the fixing portion to deform without affecting the overall diameter of the coupling member, as the large diameter portion remains unchanged and ensures proper fit within the sheath.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member exhibits different dimensional characteristics at different locations. The large diameter portion maintains a constant external diameter substantially equal to the sheath's internal diameter, while the fixing portion has a smaller external diameter that allows for radial deformation during fixing. This local quality differentiation enables reliable fixing without compromising the overall dimensional accuracy.
2Reliability
If the coupling member diameter increases due to radial deformation, then the fixing is more reliable, but gaps are generated between the coupling member and sheath causing wobbling
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the coupling member into a large diameter portion and a fixing portion, the radial deformation is confined to the fixing portion only. The large diameter portion maintains its original dimensions, ensuring continuous contact with the sheath inner cavity and preventing gaps that would cause axial wobbling during treatment operations.
3Ease of operation
If the connecting member is made flexible, then insertion is easier, but wobbling occurs during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member acts as an intermediary component between the flexible connecting member and the rigid treatment part. Its large diameter portion provides a stable interface within the sheath, preventing the transmission of flex-induced wobbling to the treatment part, while still allowing the connecting member to maintain its flexibility for easy insertion.
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
The design effectively prevents wobbling of the treatment part and connecting member, ensuring reliable operation and stable fluid supply during procedures like injection and tissue swelling by minimizing gaps and maintaining axial alignment.
Implementation Method 1
both the needle tube and the coupling member are often fixed, for example, by caulking the coupling member
Implementation Method 2
the coupling member may be fixed not only by caulking but also by brazing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a treatment tool endoscopically inserted into a body cavity that includes a treatment part that performs a treatment within the body cavity; a connecting member connected to a proximal end of the treatment part; a sheath through which the treatment part and the connecting member are inserted so as to be able to extend or retract in an axis direction; an operation part having the connecting member connected thereto; and a sliding member fixed to at least one of the connecting member and the treatment part. The sliding member has a large diameter portion having an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the sheath, and a fixing portion having an external diameter smaller than the large diameter portion, and is formed in a tubular shape, the fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the connecting member and the treatment part, and the radial maximum dimension of the fixing portion is less than or equal to the external diameter of the large diameter portion in a fixed state.