Endoscope Staple Unit Rotation Lock for Clear Suturing Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope systems face challenges in adjusting the relative positional relationship between the fastening device and the endoscope, particularly in rotating the fastening device circumferentially around the endoscope's longitudinal axis, while preventing unintentional contact with tissues and blocking the endoscope's field of view during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with a shaft, a staple unit rotatable around a longitudinal axis, an operation unit, and a rotation restriction mechanism that allows switching between rotatable and restricted states, enabling precise alignment and observation of tissues during suturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the fastening device is made rotatable around the longitudinal axis to adjust the relative positional relationship with the endoscope, then the adaptability for different tissue suturing directions is improved, but the risk of unintentional contact with tissues and blocking of endoscope field of view increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of fastening device orientationVSAvoidunintentional tissue contact and field of view blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device incorporates a rotation restriction mechanism that can dynamically switch between two states: a rotation-restricted state during insertion and transport to prevent unintended contact, and a rotation-free state during suturing operations to enable orientation adjustment. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt its rotational capability based on the surgical phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation restriction mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the fastening device and the endoscope shaft. It includes a rotation restriction protrusion on the fastening device that engages with a corresponding rotation restriction groove on the endoscope shaft, creating a mechanical intermediary that controls rotational movement and prevents harmful contact while allowing controlled orientation adjustment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the fastening device is restricted from rotation to prevent unintentional contact with tissues during insertion, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation for aligning the stapler with the tissue suturing direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during insertionVSAvoidalignment of stapler with tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static rotational restriction to a dynamic control mechanism. During insertion, the rotation restriction mechanism maintains safety by preventing rotation. During suturing operations, the mechanism is released to allow rotation, enabling the stapler to be aligned with the tissue suturing direction. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between safety during insertion and ease of operation during alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation restriction mechanism is engaged in advance during the insertion phase to prevent unintended contact with tissues. The system performs the preliminary action of restricting rotation before the actual suturing operation begins. When alignment is needed, the mechanism is released in advance to allow rotation, ensuring both safety during insertion and ease of operation during alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the fastening device is made rotatable to observe tissue from different directions, then the measurement precision for tissue observation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation precision of tissueVSAvoidrotation control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation restriction mechanism serves as a simple mechanical intermediary that provides rotational control without requiring complex actuation systems. The rotation restriction protrusion on the fastening device engages with a corresponding groove on the endoscope shaft, creating a straightforward mechanical linkage that enables precise observation of tissue from different directions while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12465341B2Fastening device, endoscope system, and suturing method

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A fastening device includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a fixing member configured to fix the shaft to an endoscope by being attached to the endoscope, a staple unit attached to a distal end of the shaft and rotatable around the longitudinal axis, an operation unit provided at a proximal-end portion of the shaft, and a rotation restriction mechanism configured to restrict rotation of the staple unit around the longitudinal axis with respect to the endoscope due to an operation of the operation unit.