Flexible Medical Gripping Device with Independent Branches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical gripping devices are inadequate for separately gripping and fixing multiple tissue parts due to their limited functionality, often requiring multiple devices and additional access routes, which can complicate procedures, especially in narrow body cavities like the esophagus and intestines, and pose challenges in closing access points effectively during minimally invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A medical gripping device with a flexible shaft and articulated branches, each controlled independently by separate mechanisms, allowing for independent opening and closing of multiple 'mouths' to grasp and fix tissue sections without causing damage, featuring elastic or magnetic elements for precise control and adjustable spacing to accommodate varying tissue sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a gripping device with only one mouth is used, then the device structure is simple, but at least two gripping devices are required to grip multiple tissue parts, increasing device complexity and requiring additional access routes
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is divided into multiple independent branches (at least two) that can be controlled separately. Each branch has its own control mechanism allowing independent actuation to grip different tissue parts simultaneously through a single access route, eliminating the need for multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A single gripping device is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating multiple independently controllable branches. This multi-functional design allows one device to grip multiple tissue parts simultaneously, replacing the need for multiple separate gripping devices and additional access routes.
2Ease of operation
If multiple gripping devices are used to grip multiple tissue parts, then each tissue part can be gripped separately, but additional access routes are required which complicate the procedure in narrow body cavities
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gripping functions are merged into a single gripping device with multiple branches. All branches are contained within one device that can be introduced through a single access route, combining what would have required multiple separate devices and multiple access routes into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a single-dimensional (one mouth) to multi-dimensional (multiple branches extending in different directions) configuration. This spatial arrangement allows multiple tissue parts to be gripped simultaneously through one access route by utilizing different spatial orientations of the branches.
3Reliability
If a rigid shaft is used to transmit actuating forces, then force transmission is reliable, but the device cannot navigate narrow and curved body cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed as a flexible structure that can bend and deform to navigate narrow and curved body cavities. The flexibility allows the device to adapt to the anatomical geometry while still transmitting actuating forces from the control mechanisms to the branches at the distal end.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change its shape as needed. This dynamic flexibility enables navigation through complex body cavities while maintaining the capability to transmit actuating forces for branch actuation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The medical gripping device (1) has a flexible shaft (2) with a front end (3) and a rear end, a bar (4) with a bar element. The bar is fixed at the front end of the shaft. The two flexible controlling mechanism (7,8) are partly arranged in the shaft. A branch (5,6) is individually moved opposite to the bar by the controlling mechanism.