Reloadable Endoscopic Clip With Flaring Capsule Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic clipping devices face challenges in minimizing the risk of perforation during gastrointestinal procedures and ensuring complete closure of tissue defects, with existing solutions often leaving shed parts in the body after deployment.
Innovation Solution
A reloadable clipping system featuring a clip with sliding arms and a capsule mechanism, where connecting tabs engage with a bushing to move between open and closed configurations, allowing for tissue gripping and secure deployment without leaving parts in the body, facilitated by a control member and ramped surfaces for plastic deformation of the tabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clip device is used for tissue closure, then tissue closure is achieved, but shed parts are left in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is designed to be discarded with the clip after deployment, while the applicator is recovered and reused. The capsule contains the clip arms and connecting tabs, which are released from the applicator's bushing during deployment. This separates the disposable component (capsule with clip) from the reusable component (applicator), eliminating shed parts while maintaining tissue closure functionality.
2Productivity
If a reloadable clipping system is used, then applicator reuse is enabled, but complex engagement mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional segments: the applicator with bushing for loading, the capsule with connecting tabs for engagement, and the clip arms for tissue closure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the applicator can be reused while the capsule is discarded, simplifying the overall system despite the presence of multiple engagement interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If connecting tabs are plastically deformed to release the bushing, then deployment is achieved, but the tabs undergo permanent change
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting tabs utilize plastic deformation as a parameter change mechanism. During deployment, the tabs are forced to deform plastically away from the longitudinal axis of the capsule, which permanently alters their shape and releases them from the bushing engagement. This permanent change enables easy deployment while ensuring the tabs cannot accidentally disengage during use.
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
Enables secure tissue closure with minimal risk of perforation and eliminates shed parts by allowing for the reuse of the applicator with a new clip, ensuring efficient and safe endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting tabs may be elastically deformable as the connecting tabs are slid along the first ramped surface so that, when the engaging features are positioned about the notch, the connecting tabs revert to their initial configuration
Implementation Method 2
the connecting tabs slidable along the second ramped surface to plastically deform toward a deployed configuration in which the connecting tabs are moved away from a longitudinal axis of the capsule to release the bushing therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A clipping system includes a clip having a pair of clip arms, proximal ends of the clip arms slidably received within a channel of a capsule to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A proximal end of the capsule including connecting tabs extending proximally therefrom. An applicator includes an elongated flexible member and a control member extending therethrough. The control member includes a distal end connected to the clip arms to move the clip assembly between the open and closed configurations. A distal end of the elongated flexible member includes a bushing including a first ramped surface, along which the connecting tabs slide along to engage a corresponding engaging feature of the bushing, and a second ramped surface proximal of the first ramped surface, the connecting tabs slidable along the second ramped surface to plastically deform toward a deployed configuration.