Ligation Device Protrusion Notch Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ligation devices for treating hemorrhoids often experience unintended movement of the outer tubular member towards the inner tubular member, leading to premature deployment of elastic bands and potential patient injuries due to inadequate locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A ligation device design featuring an inner tubular member with a protrusion and an outer tubular member with a notch configuration, where the protrusion is received by a narrower portion of the notch to prevent movement towards the inner tubular member's end, ensuring secure locking and preventing accidental deployment of the elastic band.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ligation device is used to treat hemorrhoids, then the treatment function is provided, but unintended movement of the outer tubular member towards the inner tubular member occurs causing premature deployment or failure to ligate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unintended movementVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism employs nested geometric features where a protrusion on the inner tubular member fits into a corresponding notch on the outer tubular member. This nesting arrangement creates an interlocking relationship that prevents unintended movement while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion and notch act as intermediary elements between the inner and outer tubular members. These intermediate features facilitate the locking function by providing a mechanical interface that transfers and restrains movement forces, preventing premature deployment without requiring complex locking systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the outer tubular member is allowed to move freely, then ease of operation is improved, but patient injury risk increases due to inadequate locking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidpatient injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the protrusion and notch to automatically engage and prevent harmful movement. This preliminary restraint mechanism counteracts potential unintended movements before they can cause patient injury, while still permitting necessary operational movements during proper use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS20220160365A1Ligation device with a protrusion and notch for locking the ligation device

Publication Date: 2022.05.26 RECOVERY SCIENCE LLC

AI summary

A ligation device for treating hemorrhoids includes a locking mechanism. The ligation device includes an inner tubular member having a first end, a second end, and a protrusion on an outer surface. The first end includes a first opening and the second end includes a second opening. Further, the ligation device includes an outer tubular member having an inner configuration corresponding to that of the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member including a notch such that a reception of the protrusion of the inner tubular member by a first portion of the notch of the outer tubular member allows vertical movement of the outer tubular member and a reception of the protrusion of the inner tubular member by a second portion of the notch of the outer tubular member prevents vertical movement of the outer tubular member towards the first end of the inner tubular member.