Endoscope Tool Buckling Prevention via Intermediary Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope treatment tools face challenges in preventing buckling of frame pieces during tissue collection, which can lead to reduced strength and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for thick frame pieces and complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a buckling prevention member formed from a metal thin plate with a bearing and abutting portion that disperses compression forces between the rotation shaft and the coil tube, allowing for pivotable gripping members with enhanced strength and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick frame pieces are used to prevent buckling, then strength is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A buckling prevention member is introduced as an intermediary component between the frame pieces and the operation wire. This member has a specific structure with a compression force receiving portion and a frame piece engaging portion that engages with grooves on the frame pieces, thereby preventing buckling without requiring the frame pieces themselves to be thick or complex
Solution Approach 2:
The buckling prevention function is segmented from the frame pieces and implemented as a separate dedicated component. This allows the frame pieces to remain simple and thin while the buckling prevention member handles the compression forces independently through its specialized structure
2Strength
If thick frame pieces are used to prevent buckling, then strength is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buckling prevention member serves as a mediator that absorbs compression forces, allowing frame pieces to be manufactured as simple, thin components. This separation of functions reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the required strength through the specialized buckling prevention structure
Solution Approach 2:
The frame pieces are designed as thin components rather than thick rigid structures. The buckling prevention member compensates for the thinness of the frame pieces by providing the necessary structural support against compression forces, enabling cost-effective manufacturing of thin-walled components
3Reliability
If complex configurations are used to prevent buckling, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated buckling prevention member is introduced as an intermediary component between the operation wire and frame pieces. This member has a specific structure with engagement grooves and compression force receiving portions that reliably prevent buckling through a simple, focused design rather than a complex integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The buckling prevention function is segmented into a separate component with a dedicated simple structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, resulting in lower overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability through the specialized buckling prevention mechanism
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 solution effectively reduces compression forces on frame pieces, preventing buckling and enhancing the tool's strength while maintaining precision and reducing manufacturing costs, allowing for efficient tissue collection and handling.
Implementation Method 1
a plate that includes a bearing to which the rotation shaft is fitted
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an endoscope treatment tool including: a sheath; a distal-end support member that is secured to a distal end of the sheath and that has a rotation shaft extending in an axial direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the sheath; a pair of gripping members that are linked to the rotation shaft in a pivotable manner; and an operation wire that is linked to the gripping members, wherein the distal-end support member includes: a pair of frame pieces that extend in a direction of the longitudinal axis with a spacing therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and that include through-holes through which the rotation shaft passes; and a plate that includes a bearing to which the rotation shaft is fitted and an abutting portion protruding radially outward in the sheath, and wherein the plate extends into a space between the rotation shaft and the sheath.