Endoscope Forceps Elastic Force Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope treatment tools with pivotally supported forceps members face issues with excessive force application when the operating wire is continuously retracted, leading to potential tissue damage and difficulty in controlling the force applied during procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a force limiting part made of an elastic body that connects the operating wire and slider, allowing the slider to engage with the operating part body's wall surface upon compression, limiting the force applied to the forceps members to a predetermined value by generating friction, thereby preventing excessive force and ensuring controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operating wire is continuously retracted to close the forceps members, then the forceps members can be closed firmly, but excessive force is applied to the tissue causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of force transmission by introducing an elastic body that nonlinearly relates slider displacement to forceps closure force. The elastic body's force-displacement characteristics are designed to limit maximum force while ensuring reliable closure, transforming the linear force application of conventional systems into a controlled nonlinear force profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body serves as an intermediary element between the slider and the operating wire. It mediates the force transmission by absorbing and regulating the force, preventing direct transmission of excessive force from continuous slider retraction to the forceps members and tissue.
2Ease of operation
If the operating slider is used to retract the operating wire, then the treatment part can be operated, but it is difficult to control the force applied to the forceps members
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body's mechanical properties (elastic modulus, geometry) are designed to provide inherent force limiting characteristics. This passive mechanical control system transforms the operator's slider input into a controlled force output, eliminating the need for active feedback control while maintaining precise force limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body acts as a pre-designed force cushioning element that automatically limits force before excessive force can be applied to the tissue. The cushioning effect is built into the mechanical structure, providing inherent protection against force misapplication during operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a force limiting part made of elastic body is added to connect the operating wire and slider, then excessive force is limited, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body is designed to automatically perform force limiting based on its inherent mechanical properties without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. The force limitation function is self-regulating through the elastic body's natural force-displacement characteristics, simplifying the overall control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of an elastic body (flexible element) to provide force limiting functionality integrates a control function into a simple mechanical component. This flexible element approach achieves force control without rigid mechanical linkages or complex actuation mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution allows for precise control of the force applied to tissues, preventing excessive force and enabling more accurate and safe procedures by limiting the force to a predetermined value, independent of the slider's movement distance and environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
a force limiting part which connects the operating wire and the slider and is made of an elastic body. When a predetermined force is applied to the force limiting part with advance and retraction of the slider, the force limiting part engages a wall surface of the insertion passage of the operating wire and fixes the slider by being compressed in an advance-and-retraction direction and expanding in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
friction may be generated between the elastic body and the operating part body by a deformation of the elastic body, and the elastic body may be engaged with the operating part body by the friction
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment tool for an endoscope includes a sheath member, a treatment part, an operating part body, an operating wire, a slider, and a force limiting part. When a predetermined force is applied to the force limiting part with advance and refraction of the slider, the force limiting part engages a wall surface of the insertion passage of the operating wire and fixes the slider by being compressed in an advance-and-retraction direction and expanding in a radial direction.