Endoscope Ligating Instrument External Pull Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical ligating instruments require cumbersome setup and calibration, involving threading a trigger wire or string through an endoscope lumen and attaching it to an actuator mechanism, which can lead to errors and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A ligating instrument with a pull line extending through an elongate member from a proximal actuator to a distal dispenser, where the pull line is positioned outside the endoscope, eliminating the need for threading and allowing for simplified setup and operation, with the actuator and dispenser potentially being separate and operated independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trigger wire or string is threaded through the endoscope lumen and connected to an actuator mechanism, then the ligating bands can be deployed, but the setup process becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pull line is extracted from the endoscope lumen and positioned externally, eliminating the need to thread it through the complex internal structure of the endoscope. This separates the actuation mechanism from the endoscope body, simplifying setup while maintaining deployment reliability through direct external connection between the actuator and ligating band dispenser
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct external components: the actuator mechanism, the pull line, and the ligating band dispenser are separate elements that can be independently positioned and connected. This modular approach reduces overall system complexity while ensuring reliable function through dedicated component roles
2Reliability
If a trigger wire or string is threaded through the endoscope lumen and attached to an actuator mechanism, then the ligating bands can be deployed, but additional calibration steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pull line is pre-positioned externally connecting the actuator to the ligating band dispenser before use, eliminating the need for calibration steps during the procedure. The direct external connection ensures proper tension and alignment are maintained without requiring additional adjustment time
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting the pull line from the endoscope lumen pathway, the system eliminates the calibration steps that would otherwise be required to properly thread and position the wire through the complex internal structure, reducing setup time while maintaining deployment reliability
3Ease of operation
If a trigger wire or string is threaded through the endoscope lumen, then the actuator can be connected, but errors and improper calibration may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pull line is taken out of the endoscope lumen and positioned externally, creating a simple direct connection between actuator and dispenser that eliminates threading errors and calibration issues. The external positioning makes the connection path obvious and error-free
Solution Approach 2:
The external pull line configuration is self-aligning and self-calibrating through its direct external connection, eliminating the need for manual calibration adjustments. The geometry of the external arrangement naturally ensures proper tension and positioning without user intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A ligating instrument is provided, including an elongate member, such as a tube, having a lumen, the elongate member extending from a proximal actuator member to a distal ligating band dispenser. A pull line may extend through the lumen of the elongate member, with a proximal end of the pull line connected to the actuator member and a distal end of the pull line connected to the ligating band dispenser, wherein actuation of the actuator member draws the pull line in a proximal direction through the elongate member to deploy the ligating bands. The ligating band dispenser may be adapted to be mounted on the distal tip of an endoscope, and the elongate member may be adapted to be positioned outside of the endoscope from the ligating band dispenser to the actuator member. Alternatively, a ligating instrument may be provided for use with an endoscope, wherein a pull line of the ligating instrument is adapted to be positioned outside of the endoscope, wherein the pull line may be secured to the endoscope by clips or some other means. In a method of using a ligating instrument with an endoscope, a distal ligating band dispenser is attached to a distal tip of an endoscope, and a pull line of the ligating instrument is extended on the outside of the endoscope, such that the pull line extends, on the outside of the endoscope, from the distal ligating band dispenser to a proximal actuator member.