Endoscopic Clip Unit Elastic Connection Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing endoscope treatment tools face issues with maintaining and releasing the connection structure between the clip unit and the connection member, leading to instability in separating the clip unit from the endoscope ligation device due to plastic deformation and variations in tissue hardness and volume.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope treatment tool incorporates a clip unit with a clip main body, a pressing tube, a locking portion, and a stopper to regulate the protrusion length of the linear member, allowing for easy maintenance and release of the connection between the clip main body and the connection member, ensuring stable separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connection structure between the clip unit and connection member is maintained through plastic deformation, then the clip unit can be separated from the endoscope ligation device, but the separation becomes unstable due to variations in tissue hardness and volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of separationVSAvoidadaptability to tissue variations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the separation mechanism from plastic deformation to elastic deformation. The connection member is designed with elastic properties allowing it to deform reversibly under force, enabling stable separation that is not affected by variations in tissue hardness and volume. The elastic member (spring) provides consistent mechanical behavior regardless of tissue characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the clip unit is separated through plastic deformation of the connection member, then detachment is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult to control and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenance and releaseVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member (spring) automatically maintains the connection between the connection member and clip unit through its elastic force. The system self-regulates the connection strength and separation force, making the operation easier to control and maintain without requiring precise manual adjustment or excessive force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a simple connection structure is used between the clip unit and endoscope ligation device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connection cannot be reliably maintained and released

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection structure complexityVSAvoidconnection maintenance and release
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the connection member with elastic member for maintaining connection, the stopper member for regulating protrusion, and the clip unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration stabilizes the connection structure between the clip unit and the connection member, facilitating easy operation and maintaining the clip unit's separation from the endoscope ligation device, even with varying tissue conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a released state in which the arm portions are separated from each other by elastic resilience of the elastic member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a friction regulation member which is configured to regulate a frictional force between the linear member and the sheath portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2995262B1Endoscopic treatment instrument
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2995262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2995262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2995262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An endoscope treatment tool includes a clip unit including a clip main body, a pressing tube, a locking portion, and a locked portion, a sheath portion, a linear member, a connection member; and a stopper portion. In a state in which the clip main body is accommodated in the pressing tube such that the locked portion is positioned more distal than the locking portion, when the linear member is protruded at a maximum protrusion length allowed by the stopper portion, the connection member is positioned inside the pressing tube such that release of a connection between the connection member and the clip main body is prevented, and in a state in which the clip main body is moved such that the locked portion is positioned more proximal than the locking portion, when the linear member is protruded at a maximum protrusion length allowed by the stopper portion, the connection member is positioned outside the pressing tube such that release of a connection between the connection member and the clip main body is possible.