Endoscopic Tissue Clip Anchors for Angled Grasping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic clips struggle to effectively grasp tissue at non-perpendicular angles and maintain a secure grip during surgical procedures, particularly when approaching tissue tangentially.

Innovation Solution

The clip design incorporates anchors that protrude from the arms in directions divergent from the closing motion, allowing for tissue attachment even at non-perpendicular approaches, and can be made of bioadsorbable materials for tissue integration and ease of removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the clip approaches tissue at non-perpendicular angles, then the ease of deployment is improved, but the grasping security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of deploymentVSAvoidgrasping security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces anchors that protrude from the arms in directions divergent from the closing motion direction, adding a new spatial dimension for tissue engagement. This allows the clip to effectively grasp tissue even when approaching at non-perpendicular angles, resolving the contradiction between ease of deployment and grasping security by enabling reliable attachment from multiple approach angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If anchors protrude in directions divergent from closing motion, then the adaptability to different approach angles is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to approach anglesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clip structure is segmented into distinct functional components: arms for closing motion and anchors for tissue engagement. The anchors are configured to protrude in directions divergent from the closing motion, allowing independent optimization of each component's function while maintaining overall structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchors serve multiple functions: they provide tissue engagement at non-perpendicular angles, maintain grasping security, and can be made of bioadsorbable materials for tissue integration. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the clip is designed to grasp tissue securely, then the reliability of tissue holding is improved, but the ease of removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue holding reliabilityVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in material parameters by employing bioadsorbable materials for the anchors. These materials naturally degrade and lose their mechanical properties over time, allowing the clip to maintain strong tissue holding initially while automatically becoming easier to remove as the material degrades, thus resolving the contradiction between secure holding and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3984472B1Clip for endoscope
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • EP3984472B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3984472B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3984472B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2E

AI summary

A clip (10) for gripping tissue can having a first arm (12) with a first claw (12a) at a distal end of the first arm, and second arm (13), with a second claw (13a) at a distal end of the second arm, in which the first arm and second arm are configured to move in a direction toward each other to close the clip. The clips include one or more anchors (14a, 14b) on the arms of the clip which protrude in a direction other than the direction that the first arm and second arm are configured to move toward each other to close the clip. Such anchors can more readily attach to tissue of a patient upon contact than clips without an anchor.