Rotating Spool Tissue Ligation Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-band ligation devices for treating esophageal varices and hemorrhoids require complex procedures and may not efficiently apply multiple ligation bands, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic surgical device with a rotating spool assembly and valve system, combined with a loading wire and release cord, allows for efficient application and deployment of multiple ligation bands by using a braided cord with beads and a coiled loading wire for precise tissue ligation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple rubber bands are applied in one session using conventional multi-band ligation devices, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and procedural difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the band application mechanism into modular components: a spool assembly holding multiple release cords, each controlling a separate band, and a control handle with individual buttons for each cord. This segmentation allows multiple bands to be applied independently and simultaneously, improving treatment effectiveness while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spool assembly serves multiple functions: it stores multiple release cords, winds them during retrieval, and controls their independent deployment. The control handle integrates multiple control mechanisms in one unit, allowing the operator to control multiple bands from a single location. This multi-functionality improves efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

2Reliability

If elastic ligation bands are released over tissue to strangulate varices or hemorrhoids, then treatment outcome is improved, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and laborious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment outcomeVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The release cords are pre-attached to the ligation bands and pre-loaded onto the spool assembly before the procedure. The bands are pre-positioned within the cap, ready for deployment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming knot tying or band application during the procedure, allowing rapid sequential deployment of multiple bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spool assembly enables continuous retrieval of release cords as they are pulled through the working channel. The mechanical advantage of the spool mechanism allows smooth, continuous deployment of multiple bands in succession without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the procedure and reducing total procedural time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If a rotating spool assembly with multiple release cords is used to apply multiple bands, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveband application efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The release cords are nested within the spool assembly, with each cord independently wound around the spool. The spool itself is nested within the control handle assembly, which is attached to the endoscope. This nested arrangement compactly houses multiple cords and their control mechanisms without requiring excessive space, improving productivity while managing device complexity through space-efficient design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3223720B1Tissue ligation apparatus with a rotating spool assembly and a valve assembly
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 UNITED STATES ENDOSCOPY GROUP INC
  • EP3223720B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3223720B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3223720B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided herein is a mechanical device including a rotating spool assembly and a disposable valve assembly. The rotating spool assembly includes a hub, an arm, and a spool inserted through an opening in the arm. The rotating spool assembly can be sterilized after each use. The disposable valve assembly includes a mating stem member, a sealing member, and a flushing port member. The disposable valve assembly can be disposed of after every use. A loading member is also provided including a wire that can be formed from metal drawn out into a thin flexible thread. The loading member can be pre-formed in a helix to form coils in the wire. A release cord is provided including a braided cord with two single filaments and a plurality of beads formed along a length of the single filaments at a distal end of the braided cord.