Spherical Magnet Tether for Consistent Clip Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical tissue clips used in endoscopic submucosal dissection face variability in magnet-to-magnet attachment strength due to different failure modes (tensile, shear, and peel), which affects the ability to consistently meet performance limits for lifting tissue and preventing tissue injury during dissection.

Innovation Solution

A surgical clip system featuring spherical magnets with a tether system that ensures consistent tensile failure mode by allowing the magnets to rotate and maintain contact at a specific point, regardless of the force vector, thereby stabilizing the attachment strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional magnetic attachment systems are used, then tissue lifting and dissection can be performed, but the attachment strength varies due to different failure modes (tensile, shear, and peel)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strength consistencyVSAvoidmagnet-to-magnet attachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs spherical magnets instead of traditional flat or irregularly shaped magnets. The spherical geometry ensures that the magnets can rotate freely and maintain optimal contact at a specific point regardless of the force vector direction. This curvature design eliminates variability caused by misalignment and ensures consistent tensile failure mode, resolving the contradiction between attachment strength consistency and overall attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic element by allowing the spherical magnets to rotate during operation. The rotation capability enables the magnets to adapt to different force vectors and maintain optimal contact, transforming a static magnetic attachment system into a dynamic one that can consistently achieve tensile failure mode. This dynamic adjustment resolves the reliability-strength contradiction by maintaining consistent performance across varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If magnet attachment strength is increased to ensure effective tissue lifting, then dissection capability is improved, but the risk of tissue injury increases due to excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue lifting effectivenessVSAvoidtissue injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the magnet from flat or irregular shapes to spherical geometry. This parameter change allows the magnetic attachment system to achieve optimal force distribution and consistent tensile failure mode. The spherical shape enables the magnets to maintain contact at a specific point regardless of force vector, providing predictable attachment strength that effectively lifts tissue without exceeding safe force thresholds that could cause injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If various failure modes (tensile, shear, and peel) are accommodated in the magnetic attachment system, then adaptability is improved, but the predictability of attachment strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure mode accommodationVSAvoidattachment strength predictability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical geometry of the magnets provides inherent adaptability to different force vectors while maintaining predictable attachment strength. The curvature allows the magnets to rotate and accommodate various loading conditions (tensile, shear, and peel forces) while consistently achieving optimal contact at a specific point. This design resolves the contradiction by providing both adaptability to different failure modes and predictability in attachment strength through its geometric properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 system provides predictable and consistent magnet-to-magnet attachment strength, ensuring effective tissue lifting and dissection while minimizing the risk of tissue injury by maintaining traction without excessive force.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second surgical clips are each equipped with a magnet. During device use, the two (or more) magnets will be connected between the lesion side and anchor side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The spherical magnet ensures contact at a specific point no matter the vector of tensile load and allows the magnet to rotate such that the force vector is always along the magnets' longitudinal axes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic rotation: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20230310107A1Magnetically attachable tissue clips for use in endoscopic submucosal dissection

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical clip for use in endoscopic submucosal dissection includes first and second jaws configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration to grasp tissue therebetween, a spherical magnet, and a tether coupling the spherical magnet to the first jaw and/or the second jaw.