Tissue Resection Blade Lock and Release for Endoscopic Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue resection devices lack a reliable mechanism to securely lock and release the cutting member during endoscopic procedures, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential exposure of the cutting blade during non-useful positions, affecting the visibility and cleanliness of the surgical site.

Innovation Solution

A lock and release mechanism is integrated into the end effector assembly, allowing the cutting member to be rotationally locked or released based on the engagement with the handpiece assembly, ensuring the cutting member is securely locked during non-use and unlocked for operation, thereby maintaining a clear surgical field and facilitating efficient tissue resection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cutting member is left rotatable at all times, then tissue resection can be performed continuously, but the cutting blade may be exposed during non-use positions affecting visibility and surgical site cleanliness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue resection efficiencyVSAvoidblade exposure affecting visibility and cleanliness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting member's rotational state is made dynamic rather than static - it can be locked in a non-rotating position during non-use and unlocked for rotation during operation. The lock and release mechanism enables the cutting member to transition between a locked state (where rotation is prevented) and an unlocked state (where rotation is enabled), allowing the system to adapt its rotational freedom based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful potential of the cutting blade is effectively 'taken out' or isolated during non-use by engaging the lock mechanism, which separates the cutting member's rotational capability from continuous accessibility. The lock mechanism acts as an intermediary that removes the ability of the cutting blade to rotate and potentially expose itself during positions where it is not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a lock and release mechanism is added to control cutting member rotation, then blade exposure is prevented during non-use, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade exposure preventionVSAvoidmechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock and release mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the natural insertion and engagement movements of the end effector assembly with the handpiece. The mechanism automatically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on the mechanical interaction during assembly, eliminating the need for separate locking actions or additional control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lock and release functionality is merged with the existing engagement mechanism between the end effector assembly and handpiece. The same mechanical movements that connect the two components also simultaneously control the locking state of the cutting member, combining multiple functions into a unified mechanism rather than adding separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cutting member is locked during non-use, then visibility and surgical site cleanliness are maintained, but rotation is prevented until release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and cleanliness maintenanceVSAvoidcutting member accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12376899B2Tissue resecting device including a blade lock and release mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An end effector assembly of a tissue resecting device and a tissue resecting device including the end effector assembly and a handpiece assembly. The end effector assembly including a proximal hub housing, an inner drive core at least partially disposed within the proximal hub housing, a cutting member extending distally from the proximal hub housing and engaged with the inner drive core such that rotation of the inner drive core rotates the cutting member, and a lock and release mechanism operably coupled between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing. The lock and release mechanism is transitionable between a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to one another thereby rotationally locking the cutting member, and a release condition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.