Endoscope Snare Wire Connection Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing high-frequency snares for endoscopes face issues with wire connections breaking due to heat and stress during mucous membrane excision, as silver brazing can soften and plasma/laser welding can make the connections brittle, leading to disconnection or breakage during high-frequency treatment.
Innovation Solution
A high-frequency snare with twisted resilient wires connected using plasma welding or laser welding in an inactive gas atmosphere, followed by silver brazing or soldering of the proximal ends, to create a durable connection that withstands high temperatures and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If silver brazing is used to connect the wires at the connected portion, then the connection is easy to manufacture, but the silver braze softens due to high temperature sparks during high-frequency treatment, causing wire disconnection and snare loop failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection method from silver brazing to plasma welding or laser welding, fundamentally altering the joining parameters to achieve high-temperature resistance. This parameter change enables the connection to withstand the thermal environment during high-frequency treatment without softening or failing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite connection structure where multiple wires are joined through plasma welding or laser welding to form a robust connected portion. This composite approach combines multiple wire elements into a unified structure that maintains integrity under thermal and mechanical stress
2Strength
If laser welding or plasma welding is used to connect the wires, then the connection has high strength, but the connected portion becomes very brittle due to very high temperature application, causing easy breakage under concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a deposited portion at the wire ends before welding. This deposited portion has different properties than the base wire, providing a transition zone that reduces brittleness while maintaining connection strength. The local modification allows the connected portion to withstand concentrated stress without easy breakage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by creating a deposited portion prior to welding that acts as a buffer against thermal stress and mechanical load. This pre-prepared structure cushions the connection point from the full impact of high temperature and concentrated stress, preventing catastrophic failure
3Strength
If the resilient wire is a single wire, then the wire is damaged little during laser welding or plasma welding, but the wire lacks sufficient resiliency and causes problems when in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the resilient wire into multiple thin wires that are twisted together to form a twisted wire structure. This segmentation provides sufficient resiliency for snare loop operation while the individual thin wires remain relatively undamaged during welding processes
4Ease of operation
If the wire is a twisted wire consisting of multiple thin wires, then the wire has sufficient resiliency for snare operation, but relatively large damage is applied to the wire during laser welding or plasma welding as each wire segment is heated to high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by depositing material at the wire ends before performing laser welding or plasma welding. This deposited portion is prepared in advance to protect the wire segments from excessive heat damage during the welding process, preserving wire strength while maintaining resiliency
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
The solution provides a durable connection that prevents wire disconnection during high-frequency treatment and withstands the stress of mucous membrane removal, ensuring the snare loop remains intact and functional.
Implementation Method 1
the wires are connected, at the connected portion, by the laser welding or the plasma welding
Implementation Method 2
the wires are connected, at the connected portion, by the laser welding or the plasma welding
Implementation Method 3
electric sparks are generated between the connected portion of the resilient wires which serve as the high-frequency electrodes and the mucous membrane, and the temperature at that portion raises significantly
Implementation Method 4
the wires resiliently deform and the loop is tucked, while when the wires are protruded from the sheath, the loop expand its full state due to the resilient property of the wires
Data Source
AI summary
A high-frequency snare for an endoscope includes an electrically insulating sheath, an operation wire slidably inserted through the sheath, a plurality of resilient twisted wires. Proximal ends of the plurality of twisted wires are connected to the distal end of the operation wire. Distal ends of the plurality of twisted wires are deposited with each other within an atmosphere of inactive gas. A proximal end side of the deposited ends of the plurality of wires being connected together with a metallic connecting member. When the operation wire is operated to withdraw at least proximal side portions of the plurality of twisted wires, the twisted wires are tucked. The plurality of twisted wires are expanded to form a loop with resilience thereof when the plurality of twisted wires are protruded from the sheath.