Endoscope Cap Attachment Notches for Oval Tissue Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cap attachments for medical endoscopes face challenges in efficiently and safely applying tissue clips, particularly in surgical incisions with large cutting lengths, due to circular cross-sectional shapes that deform tissue symmetrically, making it difficult to clamp tissue without excessive tissue being pulled into the cap attachment, and are cumbersome in narrow hollow chambers.
Innovation Solution
The cap attachment is designed with notches or recesses at the distal front edge, allowing for oval deformation of tissue, and a cranked section to reduce the need for active bending of the endoscope shaft, along with additional working channels and deflectors for improved tissue gripping and clipping, enabling safer and more efficient tissue clipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular cross-sectional cap attachment is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tissue deformation is symmetric which makes it difficult to clamp tissue without excessive tissue being pulled into the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The cap attachment is designed with an oval cross-section instead of a circular one, creating asymmetric geometry that enables selective tissue deformation. This asymmetric shape allows the tissue to be compressed preferentially in specific directions, facilitating precise clamping of the incision site while preventing excessive tissue from being pulled into the cap attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope shaft is actively bent to reach narrow hollow chambers, then access to difficult-to-reach areas is improved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cap attachment incorporates a cranked section that can be actively positioned to change the orientation of the distal front edge. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to adapt to narrow hollow chambers and difficult-to-reach areas without requiring excessive bending of the endoscope shaft, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability.
3Reliability
If a disposable cap attachment is used, then hygienic requirements are met, but the pulling thread or push wire becomes the preferred actuation means which limits the use of more advanced actuation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The cap attachment is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate various actuation systems including pulling threads, push wires, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and electromotive actuators. This multi-functionality allows the disposable cap attachment to maintain hygienic compliance while enabling the use of advanced actuation systems for tissue clip release, depending on the specific application requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue clip application fitting set or retrofitting set includes a cap attachment for placement on the distal head of a medical endoscope, which has a placement section and a tissue clip holding section. The cap attachment is notched at least at two angular positions forming at least two notches/slots/grooves. A working channel leads into the hollow chamber and exits the hollow chamber radially in a region distal to the placement section and proximal to the radially supported tissue clip. A first guiding or leading element is arranged after the working channel belonging to the retrofitting set, as seen in the distal direction. A corresponding second guiding or leading element is arranged within the hollow chamber at an angular distance from the first guiding or leading element so as to be oriented in extension to a working channel belonging to the endoscope.