Ligator Intermediate Ring for Sequential Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ligator systems face challenges in controlling the simultaneous firing of multiple ring bands, often resulting in unintended ligation of the same anatomical region due to the rings peeling off together, leading to inefficiencies and potential medical complications.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an intermediate ring that separates and keeps ring bands apart, preventing them from inadvertently firing off together by maintaining a sufficient distance from the distal end of the holding tube, allowing for controlled sequential firing and reducing the need for sensitive trigger actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ring bands are placed one behind the other on the holding tube, then sequential ligation at different sites is enabled, but the ring bands may inadvertently peel off together causing simultaneous firing
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate ring is introduced between the first and second ring bands to act as a mediator. This intermediate ring maintains a defined distance between the two ring bands, preventing them from peeling off simultaneously. The intermediate ring serves as a physical barrier that ensures the first ring band must be fired completely before the second ring band can begin its peeling process, thus enabling reliable sequential firing.
2Productivity
If the trigger is actuated to fire the outermost ring band, then ligation is achieved, but sensitive actuation is required to prevent inadvertent firing of the next ring band
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate ring acts as a mechanical mediator that decouples the firing of adjacent ring bands. By maintaining physical separation, it allows the trigger to be actuated with normal sensitivity without requiring extreme precision. The intermediate ring ensures that the firing force is transmitted only to the outermost ring band while the inner ring band remains constrained until the intermediate ring has fully peeled off.
3Length of stationary object
If ring bands are placed closely together on the holding tube, then space is optimized, but the risk of simultaneous inadvertent firing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate ring provides a controlled separation distance between ring bands that is optimized for reliable sequential firing. While it does occupy additional space on the holding tube, this space investment ensures that the ring bands cannot inadvertently fire simultaneously. The intermediate ring's dimensions are designed to provide sufficient separation while maximizing the number of ring bands that can be placed on the holding tube.
4Productivity
If a new ring band is pulled onto the holding sleeve after use, then the ligator can be reused, but hygienic concerns and sterilization requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate ring is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to sterilize the holding tube between patients, as the disposable intermediate ring is replaced with each new patient. The disposable nature of the intermediate ring addresses hygienic concerns while maintaining ligator reuse capability, reducing sterilization time and costs.
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
This solution enhances safety and efficiency by allowing for sequential ligation at different sites without inadvertently ligating the same region, reducing personnel and instrument expenditure, and simplifying the process, particularly in hygienically critical areas like hemorrhoidal treatment, while also reducing costs and sterilization needs.
Implementation Method 1
the ring band is stretched, so that the inner diameter of the ring band is enlarged considerably... the ring band is pushed towards the distal end of the holding tube to such an extent that it comes off the holding tube; graphically speaking, this is referred to as 'firing' the ring band, even though the process is of a purely mechanical nature. Once the ring band has come off the holding tube, it abruptly contracts elastically
Data Source
AI summary
A ligator system for applying an expanded ligator ring to an anatomical region of a living being to be ligatured by the ring in its relaxed state, which comprises a ligator with a holding tube, which receives inside it the anatomical region to be ligatured in each case and with its outer surface keeps a number of ligator rings arranged one behind the other expanded, wherein the ligator system comprises at least one intermediate ring, which is arranged on the holding tube between two ligator rings and keeps the two ligator rings at a distance from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holding tube.