Hydraulic Actuator with Overflow Channels for Multi-State Medical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic actuating mechanisms for medical instruments, particularly those used in endoscopic systems, are complex and limited to controlling only two operational states, making them unsuitable for procedures requiring multiple states, such as stomach plication.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic actuating mechanism with multiple overflow passages and a piston system that allows for the definition of various operational states by controlling the movement of a piston within a cylinder, enabling the end effector to perform multiple functions like stomach plication, with a compact and reliable design suitable for endoscopic applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hydraulic actuating mechanism with multiple overflow passages and piston system is used, then the number of controllable operational states increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder is segmented into multiple cylinder spaces (first, second, third, fourth) separated by pistons, with each space connected to overflow passages at different heights. This segmentation allows independent control of each piston's position, enabling multiple discrete operational states without requiring a single complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow passages are positioned at different vertical heights along the cylinder wall, creating a vertical dimension for control. Each overflow passage connects to a specific cylinder space at its height level, allowing the system to define multiple operational states based on vertical positioning rather than requiring complex horizontal or rotational mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact hydraulic actuating mechanism is used for endoscopic applications, then the instrument size decreases, but the reliability of hydraulic fluid control may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder is inserted into a sleeve, with overflow passages formed between the inner wall of the sleeve and the outer wall of the cylinder. This nested arrangement compactly integrates multiple components (cylinder, sleeve, overflow passages) into a space-efficient structure suitable for endoscopic applications while maintaining reliable hydraulic control through properly sealed connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow passages provide pre-established pressure relief pathways at different heights within the cylinder. When hydraulic pressure builds up in any cylinder space, the excess fluid can automatically escape through the corresponding overflow passage, preventing pressure-related failures and ensuring reliable operation without requiring additional safety valves or complex pressure management systems.
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 provides a simple, safe, and versatile hydraulic actuating mechanism that can control multiple operational states of an end effector, enabling effective procedures like stomach plication with a compact design suitable for endoscopic systems, ensuring precise control and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a piston movable along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is provided in the cylinder, the piston partitioning the cylinder interior into a first cylinder space and a second cylinder space... When hydraulic fluid is fed via the fitting connected to the adjacent first cylinder space, the piston moves forward away from the cylinder bottom and hydraulic fluid flows out of the second cylinder space via the second fitting
Implementation Method 2
When the at least one bore of the overflow passage is closed by the piston skirt of the piston in the cylinder, the piston can no longer move due to the counter-pressure in the second cylinder space and a defined position of the piston has been reached
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical instrument comprising an elongated element, which is preferably configured for transoral placement in a stomach, and an end effector (100) arranged at one end of the elongated element, wherein the end effector (100) can be operated by means of a hydraulic operating mechanism (1), wherein the hydraulic operating mechanism (1) comprises a cylinder (20) having at least one, preferably two, three, four, or five, overflow channels (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) for a hydraulic fluid, which are connected to the cylinder interior by means of at least one bore (22, 22b, 22b′, 22c, 22c′, 22d, 22d′), a piston (30) arranged in the cylinder (20) and movable along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder (20) is provided, wherein the piston (30) divides the interior (23) of the cylinder (20) into a first cylinder chamber (23a) and a second cylinder chamber (23b) and is connected to the end effector (100) by means of a piston rod (31), and at least one connection (41) for introducing hydraulic fluid into the first cylinder chamber (23a) and at least one further connection (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d), which is connected to at least one overflow channel (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) of the cylinder (20), are provided.