Reloadable Hemostasis Clip Assembly With Deflectable Sleeve Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic clipping devices lack a mechanism for efficiently reloading clips during procedures, necessitating multiple devices for multiple clip deployments, which is inefficient and cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A reloadable endoscopic clipping system featuring a clip assembly with a pair of clip arms and an applicator that includes a locking sleeve for releasable engagement and disengagement, allowing for multiple clip deployments using a single applicator by facilitating easy loading and unloading of clip assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional endoscopic clipping device is used, then a single clip can be deployed, but multiple devices are required for multiple clip deployments which is inefficient and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of clip deployments per deviceVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a reusable applicator body and replaceable clip assemblies. The applicator includes a locking sleeve with engaging structures that can releasably couple with multiple different clip assemblies, allowing the main device body to be reused while only the consumable clip portion is replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking sleeve is designed with universal engaging structures that can interface with multiple different clip assembly types. The deflectable tab with engaging structure at its distal end and releasing structure at its proximal end allows the same applicator to accommodate and deploy various clip designs, making the applicator multi-functional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a reloadable mechanism is added to allow multiple clip deployments, then device complexity increases, but procedural efficiency improves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedural efficiencyVSAvoidlocking mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking sleeve incorporates a deflectable tab that can dynamically change its engagement state. The tab can be deflected from an engaged position (where the engaging structure holds the clip assembly) to a disengaged position (where the clip assembly can be removed or a new one attached), providing a simple mechanical switching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking sleeve acts as an intermediary between the applicator body and the clip assembly. It provides the coupling and decoupling function through the deflectable tab mechanism, mediating the connection between the reusable applicator and the replaceable clip components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3970636B1Hemostasis reloadable clipping device with sleeve engagement
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BOSTON SCI LTD
  • EP3970636B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3970636B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3970636B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A system includes a clip assembly including a pair of clip arms and an applicator. A proximal end of each of the arms slidably is received within a channel of a capsule and moveable between a tissue receiving configuration and a tissue clipping configuration. The applicator is releasably coupleable to the assembly. The applicator includes a control member connectable to the proximal end of each of the arms and a locking sleeve coupleable to a proximal end of the capsule via a deflectable tab including an engaging structure configured to engage a corresponding engaging structure at the proximal end of the capsule and a releasing structure proximal of the engaging structure. The releasing structure is engageable with a portion of the control member to deflect the deflectable member and disengage the engaging structure of the sleeve from the corresponding engaging structure of the capsule.