Intraoperative Clip Loading Device for Endoscopic Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopic surgical clip appliers require frequent reloading of ligation clips, which is time-consuming and increases the risk of infection, especially for single-fire clip appliers that need to be withdrawn from the body cavity after each use.

Innovation Solution

A clip loading device with an elongate body, handle assembly, guide member, clip retainers, clip locking arms, and a clip advancing member that allows intraoperative loading of multiple ligation clips directly into the applier without removing it from the body cavity, enabling sequential clip placement without withdrawing the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-fire clip applier is used, then the clip applier structure is simple, but the device must be removed from the body cavity after each use to reload clips, increasing procedure time and infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip applier structureVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The loading device is inserted through the working channel of the clip applier, nesting the loading mechanism within the existing applier structure. This allows multiple clips to be loaded sequentially without removing the applier from the body cavity, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple clips are pre-loaded into the loading device before insertion into the body cavity. The clips are arranged in a magazine with advancement mechanisms that sequentially present clips to the applier jaws, eliminating the need for repeated removal and reloading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a single-fire clip applier is used, then the clip applier structure is simple, but the device must be removed from the body cavity after each use to reload clips, increasing infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip applier structureVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The loading device nests within the closed working channel of the clip applier, maintaining the sealed environment throughout the procedure. This prevents exposure to external contaminants during clip reloading, reducing infection risk while keeping the overall system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The clip applier remains continuously positioned in the body cavity throughout the procedure, with clips being advanced and delivered without removal. This continuous presence within the sealed working channel eliminates repeated breaches of the sterile field, thereby reducing infection risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of time

If a multi-fire clip applier with clip cartridge is used, then multiple clips can be supplied sequentially without withdrawing the applier, but the device complexity increases especially where articulation is desired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure timeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex multi-fire clip cartridge mechanism is extracted and replaced with a separate loading device that inserts through the working channel. This separates the clip storage function from the applier structure, allowing the applier to remain simple while still enabling multiple clips to be delivered without withdrawal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the simple clip applier for delivery and the separate loading device for clip storage and advancement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining applier simplicity while providing multi-clip capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If clips are loaded into the applier after each use, then the applier can be used sequentially, but the frequent removal and reloading increases trauma to the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip application efficiencyVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clip applier remains continuously positioned in the body cavity with the loading device providing sequential clip advancement. This continuous operation eliminates repeated insertion and removal cycles, reducing mechanical trauma to tissues while maintaining efficient clip application productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12114866B2Interoperative clip loading device

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An intraoperative clip loading device includes an elongate body that can be positioned at a surgical site through a cannula during an endoscopic surgical procedure to provide a supply of ligation clips to the clip applier. The elongate body includes structure for supporting and advancing the ligation clips within the elongate body.