Modular Forceps with Malleable Shaft for Tissue Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy forceps with rigid shafts limit access to target tissue and visualization, especially in small cavities, and are either too expensive for single use or lack malleability and shape retention.
Innovation Solution
Biopsy forceps with a reusable handle and detachable, malleable shaft-and-jaws design, featuring a flexible internal actuator wire and a malleable outer shaft that can be bent into different shapes and hold position, compatible with both push and pull-type handles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid shaft is used in biopsy forceps, then structural strength is maintained, but access to target tissue and visualization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps is divided into two separable components: a reusable handle assembly and a disposable shaft-and-jaws assembly. This segmentation allows the shaft to be made malleable for improved access while the handle maintains structural strength through reusable construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is constructed from malleable material that can be bent into different shapes and hold position, enabling the operator to navigate complex anatomical pathways and improve visualization of target tissue while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for the procedure.
2Reliability
If disposable forceps are used, then sterility is ensured, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the expensive handle assembly (reusable) from the disposable shaft-and-jaws assembly, the system allows only the portion that requires sterility to be discarded, significantly reducing overall cost while maintaining sterility assurance for each procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft-and-jaws assembly is designed as a disposable component that can be manufactured at low cost, ensuring sterility for each procedure without the high expense of making the entire forceps disposable.
3Ease of operation
If a malleable shaft is used, then access and visualization are improved, but shape retention is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is made from malleable material that can be bent into different shapes and hold position, providing both the flexibility needed for access and the shape retention needed for stable positioning during the procedure.
4Quantity of substance
If a reusable handle with detachable shaft is used, then cost efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps consists of a reusable handle assembly and a disposable shaft-and-jaws assembly that can be easily attached and detached. This simple segmentation reduces device complexity while enabling cost efficiency through selective reuse of the handle.
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps system is disclosed, including a handle and a shaft-and-jaw assembly. The handle includes an immovable proximal handgrip and a lever resiliently pivotably coupled to the immovable proximal handgrip, such that exertion of a manual gripping force on the lever pivots the lever in a proximal direction toward the handgrip. The shaft-and-jaw assembly is releasably couplable to the handle, the shaft-and-jaw assembly including at least one pivotable jaw member normally biased to an open configuration, the open configuration of the jaws corresponding to a released configuration of the handle, the jaws being moved to a closed configuration upon the exertion of the manual gripping force on the lever, pivoting the lever toward the handgrip.