Endoscope Electrode Surface Roughness for Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high-frequency treatment tool for endoscopes experiences clogging of the conduit line due to tissue or blood adhering to the hollow electrode, preventing the effective jetting of liquid medicine.
Innovation Solution
The tool features a tubular electrode with a conduit line having a constant inner diameter and specific surface roughness, combined with a manipulation wire and insulation sheath, which allows for controlled protrusion and retraction to prevent clogging by ensuring efficient saline or liquid medicine injection and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high frequency voltage is applied to the hollow electrode to cauterize and solidify the mucosa, then bleeding prevention is improved, but tissue or blood adheres to the inside of the hollow electrode causing conduit line clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the conduit line inner surface by controlling its surface roughness to be 0.1 μm or less (arithmetic average roughness). This parameter change creates a smooth surface that reduces adhesion of tissue and blood during high-frequency treatment, preventing conduit line clogging while maintaining the cauterization function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hollow electrode is used to inject liquid medicine through the conduit line, then treatment functionality is improved, but tissue adhesion blocks the conduit line and prevents liquid jetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface roughness parameter of the conduit line inner surface to 0.1 μm or less, creating a smooth surface that minimizes tissue adhesion. This ensures the conduit line remains patent and functional for liquid medicine injection throughout the treatment process.
3Ease of operation
If the inner tube advances and retracts in the mantle tube to position the hollow electrode, then operational flexibility is improved, but the conduit line may become clogged during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface roughness parameter of the conduit line to 0.1 μm or less, creating a smooth surface that prevents tissue and blood adhesion during the advancement and retraction movements of the inner tube, maintaining operational flexibility without clogging.
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 design effectively limits conduit line clogging, enabling secure incision and exfoliation of mucosa while maintaining the ability to jet fluids, thereby improving treatment efficacy and preventing tissue adhesion.
Implementation Method 1
a high frequency voltage can be applied to the hollow electrode via the conductive wire by a high frequency power supply
Implementation Method 2
the liquid medicine (a fluid) can be sent from an injector to the hollow electrode via the inner tube
Data Source
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AI summary
This high-frequency treatment tool for an endoscope is provided with: a sheath formed from a material having insulating properties; a shaft-shaped member formed from an electroconductive material and inserted in the sheath so as to be able to advance and retreat; and an electrode in which is formed a conduit capable of jetting forward a fluid fed into the sheath, the electrode being connected to a distal-end part of the shaft-shaped member; the electrode having an external peripheral surface for energizing and treating a contacted tissue, and an internal peripheral surface of the conduit facing the fluid when the fluid is fed, the arithmetic average roughness of the external peripheral surface being greater than the arithmetic average roughness of the internal peripheral surface, and the arithmetic average roughness of the internal peripheral surface being 0.1 µm or less.