Endoscope electrode alignment via orthogonal movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope treatment tools face challenges in precisely aligning a high-frequency incision electrode with the site to be incised without disrupting the positional relationship between the endoscope and the tissue, especially when the site is located above or below the initial electrode position.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope treatment tool featuring a cylindrical distal-end member with a grasping tool and a linear connecting member that allows the electrode to be moved orthogonally to the endoscope's axis, enabling precise alignment and incision without altering the endoscope's position, along with an electrode driving mechanism that adjusts the electrode's position in response to tissue elevation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the electrode is positioned at a fixed location relative to the endoscope, then the structure is simple and stable, but the electrode cannot be precisely aligned with the target site when the site is located above or below the initial electrode position
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is made movable relative to the distal-end member through an electrode driving portion that can move the electrode in the vertical direction within the viewing field. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the electrode to be precisely aligned with the target site while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is configured to move in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope) within the viewing field, adding a degree of freedom in the Y-axis direction. This enables alignment with target sites located above or below the initial electrode position without disrupting the endoscope's positional relationship with the tissue.
2Measurement precision
If the electrode is moved to align with the target site, then alignment precision is improved, but the positional relationship between the endoscope and tissue may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment tool is divided into independent functional modules: the endoscope maintains its positional relationship with the tissue, while the electrode can be independently moved within the viewing field through the electrode driving portion. This segmentation allows the electrode to be aligned with the target site without disrupting the stable positional relationship between the endoscope and tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode moves in the vertical direction (Y-axis) within the viewing field, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope (X-axis). This movement in another dimension enables alignment precision improvement while keeping the endoscope's positional relationship with the tissue unchanged.
3Ease of operation
If the grasping tool is made rotatable centered on the holding portions, then the grasping tool can be brought close to the biological tissue for effective grasping, but the connecting member must accommodate rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping tool is configured to be rotatable centered on the holding portions of the distal-end member, allowing the distal end of the grasping tool to be brought close to the biological tissue. The connecting member accommodates this rotational movement, enabling effective grasping operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope treatment tool includes: a cylindrical distal-end member to be attached to a distal end of an endoscope; a grasping tool that is provided at an outer side surface of the endoscope along a longitudinal axis of the endoscope, that grasps biological tissue, and that is movable in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in a state in which the biological tissue is grasped; an electrode that is disposed so as to protrude forward with respect to a distal end of the distal-end member; and an electrode driving portion that is configured to move the electrode in the first direction.