Endoscope Forceps Opening Angle Adjustment via Screw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic treatment tools face challenges in efficiently adjusting the opening angle of forceps members within confined body cavities, as they often require complex mechanisms to switch between closed and open states, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially in environments with limited space.
Innovation Solution
The endoscopic treatment tool incorporates a moving mechanism using a linear portion with a male screw and female screw portion, allowing the distal end portion to move between a reference and distal end position, enabling precise adjustment of the forceps members' opening angle through thread engagement, and an elastic convex portion that releases engagement under certain force, facilitating smooth operation in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used to switch between closed and open states of forceps members, then the reliability of the treatment tool is improved, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the linear portion as a separate, movable component that can be inserted through the sheath and engaged with the engaging portion. This separates the opening/closing function from the main forceps structure, allowing the forceps members to be opened by simply moving the linear portion rather than using a complex mechanism at the distal end. The linear portion acts as an independent element that provides the opening force through its movement relative to the sheath.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear portion serves as an intermediary element between the operator's manipulation and the forceps members. Instead of directly manipulating the forceps members or using a complex distal mechanism, the operator moves the linear portion which then mediates the opening action by engaging with the engaging portion and causing the forceps members to open through the mechanical connection.
2Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used to switch between closed and open states of forceps members, then the reliability of the treatment tool is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The linear portion is extracted as a separate, movable component that can be independently manipulated. This allows the operator to open the forceps members by simply advancing or retracting the linear portion through the sheath, which is a simple linear motion that is much easier to perform than manipulating complex distal mechanisms, especially in confined body cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed mechanism to a dynamic configuration where the linear portion can move freely within the sheath. This dynamic arrangement allows the linear portion to be inserted, engaged, and retracted as needed, providing flexible and easy control over the forceps members' opening and closing states during the procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the distal end portion of the linear portion is positioned closer to the rotation axis, then the forceps members are separated, but the adjustment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical connection and manual adjustment mechanisms with a magnetic field-based interaction. The magnetic attraction force between the linear portion and the engaging portion provides precise control over the linear portion's position, enabling fine adjustment of the forceps members' opening angle without complex mechanical linkages or adjustment mechanisms.
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 easy and precise adjustment of the forceps members' opening angle, enhancing operational efficiency within body cavities by reducing mechanical complexity and improving maneuverability in both spacious and confined environments.
Implementation Method 1
The moving mechanism may have a male screw portion which is formed in one of the proximal end side of the distal end side linear member and the engaged portion, and sets an axial line of the distal end side linear member as a spiral axis, and a female screw portion which is formed in the other of the proximal end side of the distal end side linear member and the engaged portion and is threadedly engaged with the male screw portion.
Implementation Method 2
a convex portion which is formed on the other of the outer circumferential surface of the linear portion and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole and engaged with the concave portion, the convex portion elastically deformed so that the engagement with the concave portion is released when the engaged portion and the linear portion receive a force of a certain level or more relatively in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic treatment tool includes a sheath, a support portion which is attached to a distal end of the sheath, a pair of forceps members which are provided on the support portion, a linear portion which is inserted through the sheath so that the linear portion is capable of advancing and retracting, the linear portion causing facing surfaces each provided on the pair of forceps members to approach each other, and the linear portion separating the pair of facing surfaces from each other, an engaging portion which is provided in the support portion, an engaged portion which is provided in the linear portion, and a moving mechanism that moves the position of the distal end portion of the linear portion to a distal end position closer to the distal end side than the engaged portion.