Endoscopic Knife Projection Adjustment via Rotational Stopper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopic instruments with incising sections have limited adjustable projection lengths, making precise adjustments difficult due to the lack of fine control over the incising section's extension and retraction within complex body cavity curves.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic instrument featuring a stopper mechanism that interacts with first and second-distal-regulation sections, allowing for multiple stepwise adjustments of the incising section's projection length by rotating the main body relative to the sheath, enabling precise control over the knife's extension and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the incising section projection length is adjusted using a distal slantwise observation method, then the projection length can be observed, but the adjustment precision is insufficient due to small pitch (e.g., 0.5 mm) and difficulty in reliably obtaining desirable projection length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the regulation section with stopper and engagement protrusions) that mediates between the operator's rotation action and the incising section's projection length adjustment. This intermediary provides tactile feedback and mechanical stopping points that enable precise control without requiring direct visual observation of the distal end, thereby improving both measurement precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visual observation-based adjustment method with a mechanical feedback system. The stopper mechanism with engagement protrusions provides mechanical tactile feedback that substitutes for visual observation, allowing the operator to feel and control the projection length through hand sensation rather than requiring precise visual measurement of the distal end.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the maneuvering member is manipulated to extend or retract the incising section, then the projection length can be adjusted, but the adjustment is limited to two-step (full projection and full retraction) because the endoscope makes complex curves in the body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous rotation range of the main body into discrete angular intervals, each corresponding to a specific projection length setting. The engagement protrusions are positioned at specific angular intervals around the regulation section's circumference, creating segmented adjustment positions that provide multiple discrete projection length settings while maintaining a relatively simple rotational mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static two-step adjustment (full projection/retraction) into a dynamic multi-step adjustment system. By allowing continuous rotation of the main body with mechanical stopping points, the system provides dynamic adaptability where the projection length can be adjusted to multiple intermediate positions, enabling the incising section to adapt to various tissue shapes and sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stopper mechanism with multiple regulation sections is used, then multiple stepwise projection lengths can be achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the regulation section to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the rotational adjustment mechanism and the positioning mechanism through integrated engagement protrusions. The stopper mechanism simultaneously provides mechanical limitation of rotation and tactile feedback for positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while achieving multiple stepwise projection length adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rotation control function and the positioning function into a single integrated mechanism. The main body's rotation and the stopper's engagement with regulation sections are combined into one unified system, where the same rotational motion that adjusts projection length also provides the mechanical feedback for positioning. This merging reduces component count and simplifies the overall structure despite providing multiple adjustment steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscopic instrument includes: a knife (2); a wire (3) having a distal end connected to the knife (2); a sheath (4) allowing the wire (3) to pass therethrough, a main body (8) having the freely rotative sheath (4) fixed thereto; a slider (9), having the wire (3) fixed thereto, disposed slidable in an axial line direction of the main body (8); a stopper (6), provided to the wire (3) or the knife (2), for projecting outward radially relative to the wire (3); a first-distal-regulation section and a second-distal-regulation section provided to the sheath (4) for regulating distal sliding movement of the wire (3) by making contact with the stopper (6); and a second-distal-regulation section, provided distally relative to the first-distal-regulation section, for regulating distal sliding movement of the wire by making contact with the stopper, wherein the stopper (6) is capable of moving between the first-distal-regulation section and the second-distal-regulation section by rotating the main body (8) relative to the sheath (4) around an axial line by predetermined rotational angle, and at least two different projection lengths of the knife (2) can be maintained by contacting the main body (8) to the first-distal-regulation section or the second-distal-regulation section. Accordingly, at least two stepwise adjustment of the projection length of the incising section can be maintained easily and reliably.