Endoscope Adaptor With Wire-Driven Instrument Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical instruments passed through endoscopes often lack independent articulation functionality, making procedures more difficult, time-consuming, and less effective.
Innovation Solution
A medical device adaptor with a distal cap and proximal actuator, connected by wires, allows instruments to articulate independently by manipulating a handle, facilitating articulation through a working channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If instruments are passed through endoscope working channels, then the endoscope can reach the target site, but the instruments lack independent articulation functionality making procedures more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor nests within the endoscope working channel system, with the distal cap fitting over the endoscope distal end and the actuator fitting over the proximal end. The instrument passes through the adaptor's channel while the adaptor itself fits within the endoscope's working channel dimensions, enabling articulation without external attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor acts as an intermediary device between the endoscope and the instrument. It includes a distal cap that interfaces with the endoscope distal end, a channel that receives the instrument, and an actuator that provides articulation control. This intermediary structure enables instruments without native articulation to gain articulation capability through the adaptor's wire-driven mechanism
2Productivity
If instruments lack articulation functionality, then the system structure remains simple, but procedures become more time-consuming and less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is segmented into distinct functional components: a distal cap for interfacing with the endoscope, a channel for instrument passage, and an actuator with wire mechanisms for articulation control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability and ease of assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator includes a handle that the operator manipulates directly to control wire tension and achieve articulation. The system is self-contained within the adaptor structure, requiring no external control systems or additional equipment, thereby improving procedure efficiency while maintaining reasonable complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device adaptor may comprise a distal portion, including a cap configured to be removably affixed to a distal end of a medical device and a channel extending through a lumen of the cap. The channel may be in fluid communication with a working channel of the medical device upon removably affixing the cap to the distal end of the medical device. The adaptor may further comprise a proximal portion including an actuator having a lumen. The actuator may be removably affixed to a proximal end of the medical device, such that the lumen of the proximal portion is configured to be in fluid communication with the working channel of the medical device. The medical device adaptor also may include one or more wires extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The one or more wires may be configured to articulate the channel of the distal portion.