Surgical Clip With Expandable Jaws For Endoscopic Tissue Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical clip systems for closing defects in the GI tract face limitations such as small clip size due to endoscope channel constraints, limited jaw range, insufficient tissue clamping, and compromised visibility during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clip system with a clip that can be controllably moved between open and closed positions, allowing for controlled tissue compression and repositioning, and a deployment device that enables easy mounting over an endoscope for improved manipulation and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the clip is made larger to improve tissue clamping capability, then the clamping effectiveness is improved, but the clip cannot fit through the small working channel of the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is designed with dynamic expandability, allowing it to transition from a compressed delivery configuration (for passage through the endoscope) to an expanded operational configuration (for effective tissue clamping). This resolves the contradiction by making the clip size changeable based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip structure allows one portion to be nested within another when in the compressed state, enabling it to pass through the endoscope working channel. When deployed, the nested portions expand to provide adequate clamping surface area, thus resolving the size limitation.
2Strength
If the clip delivery instrument has jaws of larger size to improve tissue clamping, then the clamping effectiveness is improved, but the jaws cannot fit through the working channel
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery instrument incorporates dynamic jaw structures that can change size. The jaws are compressed during delivery through the working channel and then expanded at the deployment site to provide adequate tissue contact area, resolving the contradiction between size and clamping capability.
3Ease of operation
If the clip is biased open by the endoscope cap to enable easy deployment, then the deployment ease is improved, but the clip cannot be controlled for opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through engagement members that respond to applied forces. When force is applied to the engagement members, the clip opens; when force is released, the clip returns to its closed state. This feedback-based control provides both ease of deployment and controllability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members act as intermediaries between the operator and the clip. These members transmit control forces to the clip, enabling controlled opening and closing while maintaining ease of operation through simple force application.
4Ease of operation
If the clip is positioned on the endoscope cap to enable deployment, then the deployment capability is improved, but the visualization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is extracted from the endoscope cap positioning system and delivered directly to the target tissue site. This extraction allows the clip to be deployed without remaining on the cap, thereby improving visualization while maintaining deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional cap-based positioning system to a three-dimensional direct tissue placement system. This dimensional change allows the clip to be positioned precisely on the target tissue while maintaining adequate visualization through the endoscope.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for compressing body tissue including a clip having first and second tissue contacting surfaces. The clip is movable from a closed position to an open position wherein the clip receives tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces to compress tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces. A clip deployment device has a first clip engagement member and a second clip engagement member engageable with the clip, the first and second clip engagement members movable between first and second positions to controllably move the clip from the closed position to the open position.