Treatment Tool Wire Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatment tools require complex mechanisms like brake rotors and shoes to maintain the angle of end effectors during tissue interaction, which increases size and cost, and lacks efficient mechanisms for locking the operating position.
Innovation Solution
A treatment tool with a rotatable gripper at the distal end and an operating portion at the proximal end, utilizing a twisting wire and converting mechanism to convert rotation into traction, with a contact portion that locks the dial using friction or magnetic forces to maintain the angle without large-scale mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If brake rotor and brake shoe mechanisms are used to maintain end effector angle during tissue interaction, then the angle stability is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the brake rotor and brake shoe mechanisms from the system, replacing them with a twisting wire that directly connects the operating portion to the end effector. This extraction of unnecessary components reduces device complexity while maintaining angle stability through the twisting wire's torsional properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical brake system with a simpler twisting wire mechanism that uses torsional elasticity to maintain the end effector's angle. The twisting wire's inherent mechanical properties provide the necessary stability without requiring additional brake components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If brake rotor and brake shoe mechanisms are used to maintain end effector angle, then the angle stability is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the brake rotor and brake shoe components, the patent significantly reduces the device size. The compact twisting wire mechanism occupies minimal space compared to the bulky brake system, achieving angle stability in a compact form factor.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex brake mechanisms are used, then angle maintenance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates expensive brake rotor and brake shoe components, replacing them with a simple twisting wire that is cheaper to manufacture. This extraction of complex components directly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the essential angle stability function.
4Device complexity
If twisting wire is used to connect operating portion to treatment portion, then mechanism complexity is reduced, but locking reliability at operating position decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contact portion as an intermediary element between the operating portion and the twisting wire. This contact portion provides a locking function that enhances reliability, preventing the twisting wire from rotating back and ensuring the operating position is maintained accurately.
5Reliability
If contact portion is added to prevent rotation of movable operating member, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion is integrated into the existing operating portion structure, merging the locking function with the existing components rather than adding a separate complex locking mechanism. This merging approach enhances reliability while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.
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 compact and cost-effective operation with reduced component complexity, allowing precise angle adjustment and maintenance of the gripper position without external forces affecting the angle, while simplifying the mechanism and reducing size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a twisting wire one end of which is connected to the treatment portion, the other end of the twisting wire extending toward a proximal end side of the long member through an inside of the long member
Implementation Method 2
the operating portion body includes a contact portion configured to come into contact with the movable operating member to prevent the rotation of the movable operating member in a case where the movable operating member is urged in a direction toward a distal end side of the long member together with the converting mechanism by a restoring force of the twisting wire
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment tool includes an long member; a treatment portion rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the long member; a twisting wire one end of which is connected to the treatment portion, the other end extending toward a proximal end side of the long member; an operating portion, at the proximal end side, that includes a body fixed to the long member, and an operating member configured to rotate around and move along the axis; and a mechanism configured to couple the operating member with the wire and convert a rotation of the operating member into traction of the wire. The body includes a portion configured to come into contact with the operating member to prevent the rotation in a case where the operating member is urged in a direction toward a distal end side of the long member together with the mechanism by a restoring force of the wire.