Endoscope Clutch Plate Force Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope treatment tools apply excessive force to tissues when the manipulation wire is retracted after gripping, leading to potential tissue damage due to increased gripping force.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope treatment tool incorporates a force adjustment mechanism with a clutch plate and bias spring that inclines when a predetermined force is applied, increasing friction between the clutch plate and shaft to maintain a constant gripping force, preventing excessive force transmission to the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the manipulation wire is continuously retracted to tighten the grip, then the gripping force is increased, but the tissue may be damaged due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch plate changes its angular position parameter in response to compression force from the bias spring. When the manipulation wire is retracted and the bias spring compresses, the clutch plate rotates to change the angle between its through-hole axis and the shaft axis, thereby adjusting the friction parameter to prevent excessive gripping force
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch plate transitions from a static parallel orientation to a dynamic inclined orientation based on the compression state of the bias spring. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to automatically regulate friction between the clutch plate and shaft according to the manipulation wire's retraction state, preventing tissue damage while maintaining effective gripping
2Force
If the manipulation wire is retracted further after gripping, then the force applied to the treatment portion increases, but the operator cannot control the force magnitude
Solution Approach 1:
The bias spring provides automatic feedback on the manipulation wire's retraction state. As the wire is pulled, the spring compresses and generates increasing compression force that drives the clutch plate to incline at progressively larger angles, creating a self-regulating feedback mechanism that limits the force transmitted to the treatment portion
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch plate acts as an intermediary element between the manipulation wire and the treatment portion. It translates the linear retraction motion of the wire into angular inclination, which then modulates the friction force transmitted to the treatment portion, serving as a mechanical mediator that controls force transmission
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
This mechanism ensures a consistent and controlled gripping force, preventing tissue damage and allowing for safe and effective treatment by maintaining the gripping force at a predetermined value, even when the manipulation wire is further retracted.
Implementation Method 1
a bias spring configured to generate a compression force in a radial direction of the shaft in response to retraction of the manipulation wire
Implementation Method 2
increasing friction between the clutch plate and shaft to maintain a constant gripping force
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope treatment tool includes a treatment portion, a manipulation portion, and a manipulation wire connecting the treatment portion and the manipulation portion, the manipulation portion includes a manipulation portion main body, a shaft, a clutch plate having a through-hole into which the shaft is slidably inserted, a manipulation member slidably attached to the manipulation portion main body, and a force adjustment member compressed in accordance with manipulation of the manipulation member, and the clutch plate is inclined with respect to the shaft in accordance with compression of the force adjustment member, and thereby the manipulation member is fixed to the manipulation portion main body by the clutch plate which is fixed to the shaft so as not to slide with respect to the shaft.