Endoscopic Basket Support Member Sliding Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopic treatment tools face challenges with incarceration of basket parts in lumens, such as bile ducts, where the support member is exposed and cannot be accommodated within the calculus crushing apparatus, leading to compromised crushing ability and operation hindrance, especially with large calculi.

Innovation Solution

The endoscopic treatment tool features a support member with a proximal end connected to the operating wire via a sliding connecting member, allowing it to maintain a position offset from the central axis, facilitating easy connection to a calculus crushing apparatus and emergency crushing by accommodating the support member within the coil sheath.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the support member is fixed to the basket part and disposed inside the basket part, then the basket part is prevented from bending and collapsing, but the proximal end of the support member is exposed inside the bile duct and cannot be accommodated inside the coil sheath of the calculus crushing apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebasket part stabilityVSAvoidconnection to calculus crushing apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed to be movable relative to the basket part, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During normal operation, the support member extends to maintain basket stability. During emergency crushing, the support member can be retracted into the basket part, enabling proper connection to the calculus crushing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support member can be nested within the basket part structure. When retraction is needed, the support member fits inside the basket part, similar to nested dolls, allowing the entire assembly to be accommodated within the coil sheath of the calculus crushing apparatus while maintaining the ability to extend for structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the basket part is widened in radial direction to accommodate large calculus, then the calculus can be collected, but the proximal end portion of the support member is positioned further than the wire binding part and cannot be accommodated inside the coil sheath

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebasket part capacityVSAvoidsupport member accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support member's ability to move relative to the basket part allows the system to adapt to different operational states. When accommodating large calculi, the basket part can widen radially while the support member remains extended for stability. When connection to the crushing apparatus is needed, the support member retracts, solving the positioning problem caused by the radial widening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the support member is made rigid to prevent basket part collapse, then structural integrity is maintained, but the support member cannot be inserted into the coil sheath for emergency crushing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport member rigidityVSAvoidinsertion into coil sheath
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support member transitions between rigid and flexible states based on operational needs. When extended, it maintains rigidity to prevent basket collapse. When retraction is required for emergency crushing, it can be inserted into the coil sheath, demonstrating dynamic adaptability in its mechanical behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is divided into functionally distinct segments: a distal end portion that provides structural support when extended, and a proximal end portion that can be retracted. This segmentation allows different parts to serve different functions at different times, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and insertability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3298973B1Endoscopic treatment instrument
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP3298973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3298973B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3298973B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An endoscopic treatment tool according to the present invention including: an operating wire inserted into a flexible sheath to be capable of advancing and retracting; a basket part which is positioned at a distal side of the operating wire, a distal end tip binding and fixing distal ends of the plurality of basket wires at a distal end of the basket part, a binding part in which proximal end portions of the plurality of basket wires are bound together and fixed, and a support member disposed thorough the basket part along a central axis of the basket part and of which a distal end portion is fixed to the distal end tip. A proximal end portion of the support member is positioned at a proximal side than the binding part and is connected to the operating wire to be slidable in the central axis direction with respect to the operating wire.