Variable Ratio Transmission for Medical Treatment Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional treatment tools are limited in their ability to apply large forces or move rapidly due to a fixed relation between the moving speed of the treatment unit and the driving manipulation unit, making it difficult to adapt to scenarios requiring significant force or rapid movement.

Innovation Solution

A treatment tool with a long shaft member, a treatment unit, a driving force transmission member, and a manipulation unit that allows the treatment unit to switch between different operational states by varying the ratio of movement of the driving force transmission member relative to the manipulation unit, enabling the application of varying forces and speeds through a switch unit that changes the rotational center of the driving manipulation member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed transmission ratio is used between the manipulation unit and treatment unit, then the device structure is simple, but the treatment tool cannot adapt to cases requiring large force or rapid movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different force and speed requirementsVSAvoidcomplexity of transmission mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the transmission ratio variable rather than fixed. The manipulation rod can rotate about different rotational centers (first rotational center and second rotational center) depending on the manipulation amount, which dynamically changes the transmission ratio between the manipulation unit and treatment unit. This allows the system to adapt to different force and speed requirements during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the rotational center position of the manipulation rod based on the manipulation amount. When the manipulation amount is small, the manipulation rod rotates about the first rotational center; when the manipulation amount is large, it rotates about the second rotational center. This parameter change enables different transmission characteristics to be achieved without changing the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the driving manipulation member moves in multiple directions, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidease of manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manipulation rod dynamically changes its rotational center based on the manipulation amount, allowing the system to achieve different operational characteristics while maintaining a simple single-direction manipulation interface. The operator only needs to push or pull the manipulation rod linearly, and the system automatically adjusts the transmission ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts the transmission ratio based on the manipulation amount without requiring the operator to manually switch between different modes or directions. The manipulation rod's rotation about different centers occurs automatically based on the manipulation input, making the system self-adjusting and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 the tool to grip targets effectively by allowing the driving manipulation member to move in one direction, providing a larger force in one state and rapid movement in another, overcoming the limitations of conventional tools.

Implementation Method 1

a rotational center switch unit configured to switch a moving state of the driving manipulation member with respect to the manipulation unit main body into a moving state of any one of a first state in which the driving manipulation member is rotated about a first rotational center with respect to the manipulation unit main body and a second state in which the driving manipulation member is rotated about a second rotational center different from the first rotational center

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentEP2740420B1Treatment tool
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2740420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2740420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2740420B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The treatment tool includes a long shaft member (2), a treatment unit (3) installed at a distal end portion (2a) of the long shaft member (2) and configured to be capable of operating between a first position and a second position, a driving force transmission member (30) connected to the treatment unit (3) and extending along the longitudinal axis (2c) so as to be freely moved with respect to the long shaft member (2), a manipulation unit (6), and a switch unit (20) allowing the treatment unit to be operated between the first position and the second position, and switch a ratio of a movement amount of the driving force transmission (30) member with respect to a manipulation amount of the manipulation unit, in accordance with the manipulation amount of the manipulation unit (6).