Ligator Actuation Bobbin Suture Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for medical professionals to simultaneously maneuver an endoscope and deploy elastic bands onto target tissue during endoscopic ligation procedures, often requiring them to remove their hand from the endoscope to activate the bands, potentially losing position.
Innovation Solution
A ligator device with an elongate member and a ligating band dispenser, featuring an actuation device with a bobbin and suture system that allows for the deployment of ligating bands while maintaining control of the endoscope, enabling sequential deployment of bands without withdrawing the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the physician removes the guiding hand from the endoscope shaft to deploy elastic bands, then the band deployment can be activated, but the position of the endoscope is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A wire is introduced as an intermediary element that transmits mechanical force from the proximal end (where the physician applies force) through the endoscope shaft to the distal end (where the elastic band is deployed). This allows the physician to maintain hand placement on the endoscope shaft while still activating band deployment through the wire transmission mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical connection between the physician's hand and the elastic band is replaced with a wire transmission system. Instead of directly manipulating the band, the physician operates a mechanism at the proximal end that sends force through the wire through the endoscope to the distal end, enabling remote activation while maintaining positional control.
2Measurement precision
If the physician maintains a hand on the endoscope shaft, then position control is maintained, but band deployment activation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wire serves as a mediator that carries the deployment force from the proximal end through the endoscope shaft to the distal end. This intermediary transmission mechanism allows the physician to maintain hand placement on the endoscope shaft while still being able to activate band deployment through the wire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical interaction between the physician's hand and the elastic band is replaced with a wire-based transmission system. The physician operates a proximal mechanism that transmits force through the wire, eliminating the need to remove the hand from the endoscope shaft while still achieving band deployment.
3Manufacturing precision
If elastic bands are deployed sequentially, then treatment precision is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band supply is divided into multiple individual bands that can be deployed sequentially. Each band is separate and can be activated independently through the wire transmission system, allowing precise control over which tissue area is treated while maintaining the ability to proceed through multiple stages of the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to ligators, actuation devices, and methods for deploying ligation bands around a portion of tissue, utilizing an endoscope for suction, visualization, and support. In some embodiments, a ligator may include an elongate member having a lumen, and a ligating band dispenser extending from a distal end of the elongate member. The ligating band dispenser may include a cap and at least one ligating band on the cap. The ligator may further include an actuation device extending around the elongate member, wherein the actuation device includes a body, and a bobbin coupled to the body by support arms. A suture may be coupled between the bobbin and the at least one ligating band, wherein rotation of the bobbin draws the suture towards a proximal end of the elongate member to deploy the at least one ligating band from the cap.