Endoscopic Clip Arm Alignment for Even Tissue Grasping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic ligation devices face challenges in evenly pressing tissue due to non-orthogonal alignment between the tube axis and the tissue plane, leading to uneven force application and potential slipping or insufficient grasping during ligation, especially in curved body cavities like the gastrointestinal tract.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic treatment instrument with a clip main body having a first arm that protrudes further than a second arm, allowing for elastic deformation and alignment with the tissue plane, and an operation wire for controlled advancement and retraction to ensure even tissue grasping, regardless of tube alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tube member axis is not orthogonal to the tissue plane (as in curved body cavities), then the device can access the treatment area, but the pressing force becomes uneven causing arms to slip or fail to grasp properly
Solution Approach 1:
The first arm is configured to be movable relative to the tube member, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. When the tube member is inserted at an oblique angle, the first arm can move to maintain proper alignment with the tissue plane, ensuring uniform pressing force and reliable grasping regardless of the insertion angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the clip structure by making the first arm's length or position variable. This allows the clip to adapt to different insertion angles and maintain the correct pressing orientation on the tissue surface, transforming a fixed-geometry limitation into a variable-geometry solution.
2Device complexity
If both arms are fixed at the same length, then the structure is simple, but uneven pressing force occurs when the tube axis is oblique to the tissue plane
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetry into the clip structure by making the first arm different from the second arm in length or position. This asymmetric design compensates for the oblique insertion angle, allowing the first arm to reach the correct position on the tissue plane while the second arm remains fixed, thereby achieving uniform pressing force distribution.
3Manufacturing precision
If the first arm is made movable to compensate for oblique insertion angles, then uniform pressing force is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is segmented into a fixed second arm and a movable first arm, allowing independent optimization of each component. The first arm can be designed with a simple movement mechanism (such as a slider or hinge) that enables it to adjust its position while the second arm remains structurally simple and fixed to the tube member.
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
Enables stable and efficient tissue ligation in curved body cavities by maintaining consistent pressure across the arms, ensuring proper grasping and reducing slipping, even when the tube axis is not orthogonal to the tissue plane.
Implementation Method 1
a first arm (22) inserted into the insertion lumen (33) so as to protrude from a distal end (31d) of the pressing tube (30); the first arm (22) approaches the second arm (40) while being moved to a proximal end side of the pressing tube (30) by being pulled by the operation wire (60)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5A
AI summary
An endoscopic treatment instrument includes a pressing tube with an insertion lumen; a clip main body that has a first arm being inserted into the insertion lumen; a second arm fixed to the pressing tube; and an operation wire connected to the clip main body to move it with respect to the pressing tube, wherein the first arm approaches the second arm while being moved to a proximal end side of the pressing tube, in an initial state before the clip main body is pulled by the operation wire, a position of a distal end of the first arm is more distal than a position of a distal end of the second arm, and the distal end of the first arm is approaches the distal end portion of the second arm when the clip main body is pulled to the proximal end side of the pressing tube.