Endoscopic Knife with Biasing Insulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic surgical tools for GI tract procedures face challenges with accidental perforation of the GI tract during tumor removal, as existing knives can protrude from their insulators, leading to complications like pain, sepsis, and internal bleeding, especially when used in quick dissections.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic surgical tool with a dual configuration - needle-shaped knife and knife with insulator at the tip - that includes a housing with a biasing element to prevent the knife from inadvertently extending through the insulator, featuring a knife and insulator that can be selectively extended and retracted to minimize tissue damage, and a flexible sheath for navigating the GI tract.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a needle-shaped knife is used for quick dissection, then surgical efficiency is improved, but the risk of accidental perforation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulator as an intermediary component between the knife and the GI tract. The insulator prevents direct contact between the knife and tissue, eliminating the harmful effect of accidental perforation while allowing the knife to perform its cutting function. This resolves the contradiction by mediating the interaction between the surgical tool and the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the insulator can be selectively extended or retracted relative to the knife. During quick dissection, the insulator is retracted to allow efficient cutting. When not in use or during safe periods, the insulator is extended to prevent accidental perforation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the safety mechanism to the operational state.
2Speed
If the knife is allowed to extend freely for quick procedures, then surgical speed is improved, but the knife may protrude from the insulator causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a biasing element that automatically maintains the insulator in an extended position, providing self-service safety. The biasing element continuously applies force to keep the insulator extended, preventing knife protrusion without requiring constant manual intervention. This self-regulating mechanism ensures reliable knife positioning while allowing quick procedures when the insulator is intentionally retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element provides preliminary anti-action by pre-positioning the insulator in a protective extended state before any cutting action occurs. This preliminary safety measure prevents potential harmful protrusion before it can happen, allowing the surgeon to proceed with confidence and speed when the insulator is deliberately retracted for the cutting phase.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switching between needle-shaped knife and knife with insulator is required, then functional versatility is improved, but surgical time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the needle-shaped knife and the insulator into a single integrated tool assembly. Instead of requiring separate tools or manual switching between different instruments, the insulator and knife are combined such that the insulator can be selectively extended or retracted relative to the knife. This integration maintains functional versatility (both needle-shaped and insulated configurations) while reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for tool switching during surgery.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic surgical tool including a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a central axis and a first aperture forming an opening disposed at the distal end, an insulator disposed within the housing and having a central bore and a second aperture, the insulator configured to extend distally from the first aperture along the central axis, and a knife disposed within the first aperture and including a tip. The knife having a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the extended position, the knife is extended distally from the first aperture along the central axis and in the retracted position, the knife is retracted proximally towards the proximal end along the central axis. The endoscopic surgical tool including a biasing element coupled to the knife and biasing the knife toward the retracted position when the knife is in the extended position.