Endoscopic High-Frequency Knife Rotatable Distal Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopic high-frequency knives face difficulties in efficiently making consecutive incisions in a swelled resection part due to the limited size of the high-frequency cutting electrode, requiring repetitive manipulation and risking structural integrity if the electrode breaks.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic high-frequency knife design featuring a rotatable distal portion connected to a conductive wire with a fixing member, allowing for quick reorientation of the high-frequency cutting electrode and ensuring it remains attached even if it breaks, facilitating multiple incisions and maintaining structural safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the high-frequency cutting electrode is used to make consecutive incisions in a swelled resection part, then the resection can be performed, but the flexible sheath may hit the swelled resection part when returning to initial position, requiring troublesome indirect manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidtime for resection operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The distal portion of the flexible sheath is made rotatable relative to the proximal portion around a common axis, allowing dynamic repositioning of the high-frequency cutting electrode without requiring indirect manipulation of the entire endoscope. This rotational freedom enables direct and efficient consecutive incisions in the swelled resection part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the high-frequency cutting electrode is made small to fit within the flexible sheath, then the device can be inserted, but it cannot completely resect a large swelled resection part in a single swing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of high-frequency cutting electrodeVSAvoidresection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable distal portion allows the operator to perform multiple swings of the high-frequency cutting electrode in different orientations without withdrawing and repositioning the entire endoscope. This enables complete resection of large swelled resection parts through consecutive incisions, significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the flexible sheath is returned directly to initial position after partial resection, then the operation can be continued, but the sheath hits the swelled resection part causing safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of resection operationVSAvoidstructural safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational capability of the distal portion provides an additional degree of freedom for safe repositioning. The operator can rotate the distal portion to navigate the high-frequency cutting electrode away from the swelled resection part during repositioning, maintaining both speed and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the proximal and distal portions, allowing independent movement of the distal portion to avoid collision with the swelled resection part while maintaining the overall structure integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the high-frequency cutting electrode is exposed at the side surface of the insulating flexible sheath, then cutting function is achieved, but the electrode may break during use compromising structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting functionalityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive wire is fixed to the distal portion in advance using a fixing member, creating a backup connection that prevents the distal portion from detaching even if the high-frequency cutting electrode breaks during use, ensuring structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS7585298B2Endoscopic high-frequency knife

Publication Date: 2009.09.08 HOYA CORPORATION

AI summary

An endoscopic high-frequency knife includes an insulating flexible sheath, a conductive wire inserted into the insulating flexible sheath, and a high-frequency cutting electrode. The high-frequency cutting electrode is installed in the endoscopic high-frequency knife so that an outer surface of the high-frequency cutting electrode is exposed at a side surface of the insulating flexible sheath in the vicinity of an end thereof. The conductive wire is electrically connected with the high-frequency cutting electrode. The insulating flexible sheath includes a distal portion and a proximal portion which are separated from each other. The distal portion and the proximal portion are freely rotatable relative to each other. A portion of the conductive wire in the vicinity of an end thereof is fixed to the distal portion to thereby prevent the distal portion from separating from the conductive wire even if the high-frequency cutting electrode breaks.