Endoscopic Tool Sheath Rigidity Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic high-frequency treatment tools experience deflection issues due to flexibility, leading to insufficient incision and excision during tissue procedures, as the flexible sheath and coil structures cause the treatment tool to deviate from the intended path.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic treatment tool with a flexible sheath and an operating member that increases rigidity by compression, featuring a sliding mechanism and a compressive member to maintain the operating member's compressed state, preventing deflection and ensuring sufficient incision or excision by hardening the sheath during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible sheath and coil structure are used to maintain flexibility, then the treatment tool can be inserted and maneuvered, but the treatment tool deflects from the intended path during incision and excision procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rigidity of the sheath changeable through compression. The sheath transitions from a flexible state during insertion to a rigid state during incision, allowing the treatment tool to maintain its shape and follow the intended path precisely without deflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of rigidity by compressing the sheath. When the sheath is compressed, its rigidity increases, preventing deflection during incision and excision procedures, thereby improving incision precision while maintaining the ability to maneuver the tool.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sheath is compressed to increase rigidity and prevent deflection, then incision precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional compression mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nesting by placing the compression mechanism inside the sheath structure itself. The sheath is designed with an inner structure that can be compressed to change its rigidity, eliminating the need for separate external compression devices and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is designed to be self-compressing through its own structural features. The compression mechanism is integrated into the sheath itself, allowing it to transition between flexible and rigid states without requiring additional external components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
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
The solution effectively prevents deflection of the treatment tool, allowing for precise and sufficient incision or excision relative to the movement distance by enhancing the rigidity of the sheath, thereby improving the accuracy and effectiveness of endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an operating member (11) inserted to the sheath (2) so as to freely advance and retract, wherein the operating member (11) consists of a member which increases the rigidity by compression and a member which compresses the operating member (11)
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic treatment tool includes a flexible sheath; an operating member inserted to the sheath so as to freely advance and retract; a treatment section disposed at the distal end of the operating member that protrudes and retracts from the sheath; and an operator section connected to the proximal end of the operating member including a sliding member which makes the operating member advance and retract. The endoscopic treatment tool includes the operating member consisting of a member which increases its rigidity by compression, and a member which compresses the operating member. Therefore a sufficient incision or excision is achieved relative to the distance of movement of the treatment tool by preventing a deflection of the flexible tube when in use.