Telescopic High Frequency Knife for Endoscopic Mucosal Dissection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high frequency operation devices for endoscopic procedures lack the ability to adjust the projecting length of the high frequency knife according to the specific requirements of incising and separating operations, leading to inefficiencies and risks of excessive bleeding or incomplete removal of lesions.

Innovation Solution

A high frequency operation device with a flexible sheath and telescopic high frequency knife, featuring first and second electrode members that can be adjusted in projecting length through a two-stage regulation mechanism, allowing optimal projection for dissection and separation operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the high frequency knife is projected long from the flexible sheath to efficiently separate the mucous membrane, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of invading the muscular layer increases causing excessive bleeding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of mucous membrane separationVSAvoidrisk of muscular layer invasion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The high frequency knife is designed with a telescopic structure comprising first and second electrode members that can be dynamically adjusted in length. The operation section includes drive members that can extend or retract the electrode members, allowing the projecting length to be changed according to the specific operational needs - longer for separation operations and shorter for incising operations - thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The length parameter of the high frequency knife is made variable through the two-stage regulation mechanism. By changing the projecting length parameter dynamically during different stages of the procedure, the system optimizes both the efficiency of mucous membrane separation (requiring longer projection) and the safety against muscular layer invasion (requiring shorter projection), eliminating the need to choose between these conflicting requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the high frequency knife is regulated to a short projecting length to ensure safety during incising, then the object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but the efficiency of separating the mucous membrane decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during incising operationVSAvoidefficiency of mucous membrane separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed-length knife to a dynamic telescopic knife that can adapt its length. During incising operations, the electrode members are retracted to a short projecting length for safety. During separation operations, they are extended to a long projecting length for efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for safety when needed and for productivity when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The high frequency knife is segmented into multiple electrode members (first and second electrode members) that can be independently controlled in their projection. This segmentation allows different parts of the knife to be adjusted to different lengths, or the entire assembly to be adjusted in stages, providing fine-grained control over the projecting length to match the specific requirements of different operational phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a fixed length high frequency knife is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different operation requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of high frequency knifeVSAvoidadjustment to different operation stages
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic structure employs a nested configuration where the first electrode member is inserted within or alongside the second electrode member. This nesting arrangement allows both electrode members to be housed within the flexible sheath when retracted, and to extend in a coordinated manner when needed. The nested design achieves the adaptability function while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the additional components are integrated in a space-efficient manner

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic high frequency knife with adjustable length serves multiple functions that a fixed-length knife cannot perform. It can be configured for safe incising operations, efficient separation operations, and potentially intermediate configurations for other procedures. This multi-functionality is achieved through the regulated projecting mechanism that allows the same physical device to adapt to different operational requirements, greatly enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity

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

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

Enables safe and efficient dissection and separation of mucous membranes by adjusting the knife's length for precise tissue cutting and fiber separation, reducing the risk of muscular layer invasion and facilitating complete lesion removal in a single operation.

Implementation Method 1

a high frequency knife (10) mounted on the flexible sheath (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh frequency current: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP1870052B1High frequency operation device
Publication Date: 2009.02.25 FUJI PHOTO OPTICAL CO LTD
  • EP1870052B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1870052B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP1870052B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A high frequency operation device comprises: a flexible sheath of an electric insulation member that is insertable into an operation device insertion channel in an endoscope; a high frequency knife mounted on the flexible sheath; and an operation section connected to the flexible sheath to project the high frequency knife from a leading end of the flexible sheath, wherein the high frequency knife comprises first and second electrode members incorporated in a telescopic manner; wherein the operation section comprises: first and second drive members respectively that moves the first and second electrode members; and a connecting member that links together the first and second drive members and removes linkage between the first and second drive members, and wherein the high frequency operation device comprises: a first stage regulation portion that regulates a projecting length of the second electrode member, formed at the flexible sheath; and a second stage regulation portion that regulates a projecting length of the first electrode member from a leading end of the second electrode member, formed at the second electrode member.