Endoscope Treatment Tool With Screw-Locked Liquid Injection Port

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Solution Overview

Problem

The connection between the operation unit and the liquid injection port in existing endoscope treatment tools is prone to loosening and disconnection during rotational operations, and the liquid injection port direction is not fixed, making liquid injection operations difficult.

Innovation Solution

A treatment tool for an endoscope with a locking mechanism that includes projections on the operation unit and liquid injection unit, which temporarily fix the screwed state through screw fastening, preventing loosening and ensuring the liquid injection port remains in the correct position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If screw fastening is used to connect the liquid injection unit and operation unit, then the connection can be easily assembled and disassembled, but the screwed portion loosens and disconnects during rotational operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking protrusions are pre-formed on the operation unit and liquid injection unit before assembly. When the units are screw-fastened together, these protrusions automatically engage with each other to lock the connection, preventing loosening during subsequent rotational operations without requiring additional locking steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking protrusions act as intermediary elements between the operation unit and liquid injection unit. These protrusions mechanically interlock the two units together, providing a mediating locking mechanism that prevents direct screw loosening while maintaining the screw fastening connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If adhesive agent is used to firmly fix the connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the adhesive agent deteriorates and damages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidadhesive deterioration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesive agents with a mechanical locking system using screw fastening and locking protrusions. This mechanical approach provides stable connection without the deterioration and damage issues associated with adhesive aging and degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking protrusions are self-locking features that automatically engage when the units are assembled. The mechanical locking system serves itself to maintain connection stability without requiring external adhesive materials that would deteriorate over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the liquid injection port is freely movable, then the operation unit has high flexibility, but the liquid injection port cannot be fixed in the optimal position for liquid injection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidliquid injection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid injection port is pre-positioned at a specific angle relative to the operation unit body during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that the port is optimally oriented for liquid injection operations while maintaining the overall flexibility of the operation unit through its connection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 locking mechanism stabilizes the connection between the operation unit and liquid injection port, allowing easy liquid injection operations without the need for adhesives, reducing the risk of damage and enabling rapid replacement of parts.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid injection unit and the operation unit are connected by screw fastening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew fastening: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the projection arranged in one of the operation unit and the liquid injection unit climbs over the other projection by the screwing fastening, thereby temporarily fixing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical locking through projection interaction: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS12414809B2Treatment tool for endoscope

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 HOMMA KIYOAKI

AI summary

A treatment tool for an endoscope includes an elongated cylindrical flexible sheath, an operation wire inserted into a cylinder of the flexible sheath and movable forward and backward in an axial direction within the cylinder by being operated to be pushed and pulled, a treatment unit provided in a distal end of the operation wire and performing treatment of an affected area, an operation unit for operating the operation wire to move forward and backward, and a liquid injection unit arranged between the flexible sheath and the operation unit and including a liquid injection port for supplying liquid to the treatment unit. The liquid injection unit and the operation unit are connected by screw fastening, and a locking mechanism is provided for temporarily fixing the screwed state, thereby preventing a screwed portion between the operation unit and the connection unit from being loosened and disconnected by rotational operation during treatment.