Deflectable Distal Tip Assembly for Secure Operation Wire Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices with a distal end deflection mechanism risk damaging body tissue due to the exposure of metal edges and inadequate fixation of the operation wire, leading to insufficient cutting allowance and positional shifts during deflection operations.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a distal end deflection-operable shaft featuring a resin-made shaft, a resin distal end tip, and a metal or ceramic intermediate member in a plate shape, securely fixing the operation wire through a sub-through-hole and main through-hole configuration, ensuring smooth deflection without tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylindrical metal member is used to fix the operation wire to the shaft, then the operation wire can be fixed, but body tissue may be damaged by the edge of the metal member
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful edge portion of the cylindrical metal member is extracted/removed by cutting the shaft outer circumference, leaving only the necessary fixing function without the damaging edge. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful factor while preserving the fixing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal member's rigidity, which initially causes harm through its edge, is converted into a benefit by using it as an intermediate member with rounded edges that provide secure fixing without tissue damage. The metal's strength is harnessed to ensure reliable wire fixation while its edges are designed to be harmless.
2Ease of manufacture
If the shaft outer circumference is cut to secure the metal member, then the metal member can be attached, but the cutting allowance is insufficient for small diameter shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment is moved from a radial dimension (cutting the shaft circumference) to an axial dimension (placing the metal member as an intermediate layer between shaft and distal end tip). This allows the metal member to be secured without reducing the shaft's outer diameter, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and shaft diameter preservation.
3Reliability
If a cylindrical metal member is attached to the shaft, then the operation wire can be fixed, but the distal end portion of the shaft cannot be warped for smooth deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end tip is segmented from the shaft, with the metal member positioned as an intermediate layer between them. This segmentation allows the shaft to be warped for deflection while the metal member maintains wire fixation, resolving the contradiction between reliable fixing and smooth deflection operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the outer circumference of the shaft is cut, then the metal member can be attached, but the forceps channel diameter cannot be sufficiently secured
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting approach transitions from radial (cutting shaft circumference) to axial (intermediate layer positioning). This dimensional change allows the forceps channel to maintain its full diameter without compromising metal member attachment, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and forceps channel area preservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device is configured such that a distal end of an operation wire is securely fixed to a distal end of a shaft, enabling smooth distal end deflection operation. The medical device includes: a shaft that includes a distal end flexible portion and in which working lumens and wire lumens are formed; a distal end tip disposed on a distal end side of the shaft and in which distal end working lumens in communication with the working lumens are formed; an intermediate member disposed between the shaft and the distal end tip and including a main through-hole that is formed to secure communication paths with the working lumens and the distal end working lumens and surround the communication paths, and sub-through-holes that are formed to correspond to the positions in which the wire lumens are formed.