Endoscope Forceps with Magnetic Actuation for Half-Open State Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope treatment tools find it difficult to adjust the forceps members to a half-open state with a constant opening angle, making it challenging to handle tissues with varying shapes and thicknesses effectively.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope treatment tool incorporates a sheath, rotatable forceps members, a linear member, an elastic member, and a locking portion to facilitate easy adjustment to a half-open state, where the elastic member is compressed to maintain a consistent opening angle, allowing for precise tissue handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the operating section is operated minutely to achieve a half-open state with constant opening angle, then the opening angle can be maintained constant, but the adjustment becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant opening angleVSAvoidadjustment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical wire-pulley system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. A magnet is positioned within the sheath to interact with a ferromagnetic material in the forceps member, enabling precise control of the opening angle without complex mechanical linkages. This magnetic actuation allows for easy adjustment to half-open states while maintaining constant opening angles, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and angle stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field strength and position to control the opening angle of the forceps members. By varying the position of the magnet along the sheath or adjusting the magnetic field parameters, the opening angle can be precisely controlled at different positions (fully open, half-open, closed). This parameter-based control enables easy transition between states while maintaining constant angles, addressing both the ease of operation and stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the forceps members are designed with multiple open and closed states for versatile tissue handling, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue handling capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the forceps member to perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure. The same ferromagnetic-containing forceps member can be actuated to achieve fully open, half-open, and closed states by simply repositioning the magnet, rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each state. This multi-functional design provides versatile tissue handling capability while keeping the device structure simple and avoiding the complexity of multiple independent actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The tool allows for easy and stable adjustment of forceps members to a half-open state with a constant opening angle, enhancing the ability to handle tissues effectively and providing clear operational feedback to the surgeon.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member which stores energy when deformed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a forceps member... provided with a magnetic body... a magnet... interacts with the magnetic body so as to control an opening angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2997912B1Endoscope treatment tool
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2997912B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2997912B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2997912B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An endoscope treatment tool includes a sheath; a support part that is attached to a distal end portion of the sheath; a pair of forceps members that are arranged in front of the sheath and are supported so as to be relatively rotatable around a rotation shaft provided at the support part; a linear member that is inserted through the sheath so as to be capable of advancing into and retracting from the sheath, brings opposed surfaces, which are respectively provided closer to distal end sides of the pair of forceps members than the rotation shaft, closer to each other as the linear member is separated from the rotation shaft, and separates the pair of opposed surfaces from each other as the linear member approaches the rotation shaft; an elastic member that is supported by the linear member or the support part; and a locking portion that is provided on the linear member or the forceps members.