Tissue Collection Cartridge with Latch and Fill Indicator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue resection instruments face challenges in efficiently collecting and processing tissue during endoscopic procedures, particularly in ensuring effective suction and containment of tissue samples while allowing fluid drainage and providing indicators for fill levels and histological processing.
Innovation Solution
A tissue resecting instrument with a housing, outer shaft, inner cutting shaft, drive assembly, trigger, vacuum generator, and tissue collection cartridge, which includes a latch system, internal filter, and fill indicators, allowing for controlled tissue collection and histological agent deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a tissue resection instrument uses a continuous suction system to collect tissue during endoscopic procedures, then tissue collection efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between tissue samples and fluid, and continuous suction may cause excessive fluid intake
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between suction mode and dispensing mode. During suction mode, tissue samples are collected in the collection chamber. During dispensing mode, the collected tissue is ejected onto a collection device for separate identification and analysis. This periodic action allows the system to maintain continuous operation while preserving the ability to distinguish tissue from fluid at different time points in the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection process is divided into separate functional zones: a collection chamber within the instrument where tissue is initially suctioned, and a separate collection device where tissue is eventually deposited. This segmentation allows tissue to be isolated from fluid at different stages, improving identification accuracy while maintaining collection efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If a tissue resection instrument collects both tissue and fluid simultaneously through suction, then collection completeness is improved, but fluid drainage efficiency decreases and tissue sample containment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs suction and dispensing in alternating cycles. During suction phases, both tissue and fluid are drawn into the collection chamber. During dispensing phases, the accumulated mixture is ejected onto a collection device where tissue settles and fluid drains away. This periodic operation allows complete collection of tissue while providing periodic opportunities for fluid separation and drainage.
3Loss of information
If a tissue resection instrument provides real-time visual feedback of collection status, then user awareness of fill level is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber includes a fill indicator that changes color or becomes visible at different fill levels. As the chamber fills with tissue and fluid, the indicator transitions through different visual states, providing intuitive real-time feedback to the operator about collection status without requiring complex electronic sensors or displays.
4Reliability
If a tissue resection instrument uses a disposable collection cartridge, then sterilization and contamination control are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a disposable collection cartridge that is pre-sterilized and discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization protocols and reduces contamination risk between patients. The cartridge integrates the collection chamber, filter, and containment features in a single low-cost component that simplifies the overall system while improving reliability.
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 efficient suction and containment of tissue samples, allows for fluid drainage, and provides visual or auditory indicators for fill levels, facilitating effective tissue collection and processing.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum generator is configured to generate vacuum to suction cut tissue through the inner cutting shaft and into the vacuum generator
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum generator urges cut tissue from the vacuum generator through the port into the tissue collection cartridge
Implementation Method 3
The internal filter is configured to retain tissue therein and permit passage of fluid therethrough to drain out through the drain port
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue resecting instrument includes a drive assembly coupled to an inner cutting shaft and configured to drive translation and/or rotation of the inner cutting shaft, a trigger coupled to the drive assembly and configured for manual actuation to drive the drive assembly, a vacuum generator configured to generate vacuum to suction cut tissue through the inner cutting shaft and into the vacuum generator, and a tissue collection cartridge configured to engage the housing. The tissue collection cartridge defines a port configured to communicate with the vacuum generator such that the vacuum generator urges cut tissue from the vacuum generator through the port into the tissue collection cartridge. The tissue collection cartridge may include at least one histological agent disposed therein, may include a fill indicator configured to indicate a fill level of tissue within the tissue collection cartridge, and/or may include a latch configured to seal the port closed.