Flexible Wire Actuator for Curved Endoscope Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical clip appliers have rigid bodies that prevent them from passing through endoscopes with curved channels and are prone to damage during assembly and transport.

Innovation Solution

A flexible clip applier with an actuator featuring a flexible wire and collet chuck system, along with a detachable connector, allowing the surgical clips to be advanced through curved channels and securely attached to the actuator, enabling the use of a flexible tool for minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid elongated body is used for receiving surgical clips, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to extend through curved endoscope channels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidability to extend through curved channels

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated body is divided into multiple articulated segments that can flex relative to each other, allowing the structure to navigate curved endoscope channels while maintaining overall structural integrity through the segmented design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated body incorporates flexible materials and thin-walled structures that allow bending and flexing to follow curved endoscope channels, replacing the conventional rigid structure with a flexible yet strength-maintaining design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid elongated body is used for receiving surgical clips, then structural stability is improved, but the risk of damage during assembly and transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidresistance to damage during assembly and transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The structure transitions from a static rigid body to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its shape during assembly and transport, absorbing mechanical stresses that would otherwise cause damage to a rigid structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible design inherently provides cushioning and stress distribution before damage can occur during assembly and transport, protecting the surgical clips and structural components from impact and mechanical damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible wire with collet chuck system is used for actuation, then the ability to advance surgical clips through curved channels is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to advance clips through curved channelsVSAvoidactuator mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible wire acts as an intermediary transmission element that transfers actuation force from the proximal end through the flexible elongated body to the surgical clips at the distal end, enabling controlled advancement without complex direct actuation mechanisms at each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The collet chuck mechanism replaces complex direct mechanical actuation with a more compact and efficient wire-driven system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to precisely advance surgical clips through curved channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 flexible design allows the clip applier to navigate curved endoscope channels and reduces the risk of damage, facilitating effective deployment of surgical clips during minimally invasive surgeries.

Implementation Method 1

the collet chuck ring is configured to apply a clamping force to the distal end of the collet chuck so as to clamp the proximal end of the flexible wire within the collet chuck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectClamping force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

an actuator having a flexible wire and a collet chuck coupled to a piston. Further, actuation of the piston in a forward direction towards a distal end of the clip applier advances the flexible wire in the forward direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexible wire transmission: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The valve is positioned within the tube push and press-fitted within an opening of an inner coil pipe... when the collet chuck returns in a rearward direction towards the proximal end of the clip applier, the collet chuck releases the flexible wire such that the flexible wire is generally stationarily supported within the valve relative to the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction restraint: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2210566B1Actuator for flexible clip applier

Publication Date: 2015.06.24 MICROLINE SURGICAL INC

Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary

A clip applier for deploying a surgical clip includes an actuator having a flexible wire and a collet chuck coupled to a piston. Further, actuation of the piston in a forward direction towards a distal end of the clip applier advances the flexible wire in the forward direction.