Endoscope snake bone life test device and method

Abstract

The application discloses an endoscope snake bone life test device and method, which comprises a base plate, a traction driving table, a tension sensor, a rotating driving table, a clamping table and an image measuring head. The traction driving table is slidably provided with a moving end. The rotating driving table is arranged on the upper surface of the base plate and detachably provided with a pair of poking rods. The image measuring head is arranged above the rotating driving table. The clamping table is arranged between the traction driving table and the rotating driving table. The clamping table is provided with a V-shaped groove. A saddle-shaped fixing piece is arranged above the V-shaped groove. Threaded holes are formed in the saddle-shaped fixing piece. The endoscope snake bone life without assembling a wire can be measured, and the endoscope snake bone structure design is provided with a basis for judging the advantages and disadvantages. The endoscope snake bone life after assembling the wire can be measured, the mechanical property change in the bending movement process of the endoscope snake bone is directly monitored, the bending angle and position change caused by the mechanical change are monitored, and the life of the endoscope snake bone product is comprehensively evaluated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of endoscope product reliability testing technology, and more specifically, this invention relates to an endoscope snake bone life testing device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Endoscopes are essential tools that enable real-time, multi-angle imaging in confined spaces, and are widely used in industrial inspection, medical examinations, and other fields. The skeleton is the core component of an endoscope, primarily used to support and drive internal optical fibers, microlenses, and other devices to navigate at multiple angles. The structural design of the skeleton is critical, determining its bending limit angle, mechanical strength, fatigue life, and other parameters. Fatigue life, in particular, is a crucial indicator for evaluating the reliability of the endoscope and assessing the quality of the skeleton's structural design.

[0003] Currently, snake bone life testing mainly relies on manual labor or simple rotary devices. Manual testing has poor accuracy, process parameters are difficult to monitor, and labor costs are high. Simple rotary devices have relatively accurate counting, but they cannot effectively measure the aging process of the snake bone structure during the test and cannot extrapolate the life of the snake bone.

[0004] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN115144281A, published on October 4, 2022, discloses an automated endoscopic snake skeleton bending fatigue testing device and method using a servo motor drive and a triaxial accelerometer for detection. Its drawback is that the triaxial accelerometer cannot directly measure the changes in mechanical properties of the snake skeleton structure during bending fatigue, making it difficult to accurately assess the snake skeleton's lifespan.

[0005] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN115165633A, published on October 11, 2022, is entitled "An Endoscope Bending Fatigue Testing System and Method". This application also uses a servo motor to drive the endoscope to bend and a three-axis accelerometer to monitor the bending process of the endoscope. Therefore, its shortcomings are the same as those of the method disclosed in Chinese Patent Publication No. CN115144281A.

[0006] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN115183992A, published on October 14, 2022, entitled "A Testing System and Method for Endoscope Bending Fatigue Aging," discloses an automated testing system and method for endoscope bending fatigue driven by a rotary motor. Its shortcoming is that it lacks a measuring device or sensor for monitoring the endoscope bending fatigue aging process, and therefore cannot test the endoscope's fatigue aging. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to solve at least the above-mentioned problems and / or defects, and to provide at least the advantages described below.

[0008] To achieve these objectives and other advantages according to the present invention, an endoscopic snake bone life testing device is provided, comprising:

[0009] substrate;

[0010] Two traction drive platforms are symmetrically arranged on the upper surface of the substrate. A movable end is slidably arranged on the inner side of the traction drive platform. The movable end is fixed with a tension sensor for fixing the wire drawing through an adapter block.

[0011] A rotating drive stage is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. A pair of levers are detachably mounted on the rotating drive stage, and an image probe is disposed directly above the rotating drive stage.

[0012] A clamping platform is disposed between the traction drive platform and the rotation drive platform. A V-shaped groove is provided on the clamping platform, and a saddle-shaped fixing member is provided above the V-shaped groove. A threaded hole is provided on the saddle-shaped fixing member.

[0013] Preferably, the imaging probe is fixed to the substrate by a support frame, the measurement angle of the imaging probe is perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, and the measurement range of the imaging probe covers the entire endoscopic serpentine curved structure and lever.

[0014] Preferably, the two levers are not in contact with each other, and a gap is provided between the two levers.

[0015] Preferably, the rotating shaft of the rotating drive stage is located on the symmetry plane of the V-groove.

[0016] Preferably, the image probe is an image probe based on the visible light optical measurement principle or an image probe based on the X-ray optical measurement principle.

[0017] Preferably, the rotary drive stage is one of a stepper motor, a servo motor, or a piezoelectric ceramic motor.

[0018] Preferably, the traction drive platform is one of a linear stepper motor, a rotary stepper motor, a servo motor, or a piezoelectric ceramic motor.

[0019] Preferably, four traction drive stages are provided, and two sets of image probes are provided; two of the traction drive stages pull the endoscope snake bone in a direction perpendicular to the substrate plane by wire pulling, and the other two traction drive stages pull the endoscope snake bone in a direction parallel to the substrate plane by wire pulling, and the measurement angle of one image probe is parallel to the substrate plane, and the measurement angle of the other image probe is perpendicular to the substrate plane.

[0020] A method for testing the lifespan of an un-wired endoscope skeleton using an endoscope skeleton lifespan testing device includes: when testing the lifespan of the un-wired endoscope skeleton, the endoscope skeleton is passed through a V-groove on a clamping stage, and a screw is screwed into the threaded hole of a saddle-shaped fastener to fix the endoscope skeleton in the V-groove. The center of the bending structure on the endoscope skeleton is aligned with the rotation center of the rotating drive stage, and the endoscope skeleton passes through the gap between two levers on the rotating drive stage. The levers on the rotating drive stage drive the endoscope skeleton to perform left and right bending movements. The levers first rotate the endoscope skeleton to a set angle and then return to the initial position. At this time, the imaging probe records the position of the endoscope skeleton. By recording the change in the position of the endoscope skeleton with the number of bending cycles, the change in the elasticity of the endoscope skeleton can be monitored, thereby obtaining fatigue life information of the bending structure of the endoscope skeleton.

[0021] A method for testing the lifespan of an endoscope skeleton equipped with wire drawing using an endoscope skeleton lifespan testing device includes: First, when testing the lifespan of the endoscope skeleton equipped with wire drawing, the lever on the rotating drive platform needs to be removed. One end of the wire drawing is fixed to a tension sensor. The wire drawing passes sequentially around the guide wheel on the clamping platform. The endoscope skeleton passes through the V-groove on the clamping platform. A screw is screwed into the threaded hole of the saddle-shaped fastener to fix the endoscope skeleton in the V-groove. The center of the bending structure on the endoscope skeleton is aligned with the rotation center of the rotating drive platform. The traction drive platform drives the wire drawing to bend the endoscope skeleton. The tension sensor records the change in tension each time the endoscope skeleton wire is drawn. The image probe simultaneously records the bending angle and position parameters of the endoscope skeleton. Two traction drive platforms are used to pull two wires respectively, realizing the reciprocating left-right bending motion of the endoscope skeleton. The change in mechanical properties during the bending motion is then used to obtain the tension change curve of the tension sensor, thus measuring the lifespan of the endoscope skeleton.

[0022] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The present invention can automatically measure the lifespan of an endoscope skeleton without wire assembly, which can provide a basis for judging the merits of the structural design of the endoscope skeleton; The present invention can also automatically measure the lifespan of an endoscope skeleton after wire assembly, which can directly monitor the changes in mechanical properties of the endoscope skeleton during bending motion, as well as the changes in bending angle and position caused by mechanical changes, and can comprehensively evaluate the lifespan of the endoscope skeleton product.

[0023] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent in part from the following description, and in part from those skilled in the art through study and practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the endoscopic snake bone life testing device provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the endoscopic snake bone life testing device provided in Example 1 performing a life test on an endoscopic snake bone that is not fitted with wires.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the endoscopic snake bone life test and device provided in Example 2, which performs a life test on the assembled and drawn endoscopic snake bone.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping platform. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0029] It should be understood that terms such as “having,” “comprising,” and “including” as used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

[0030] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "equipped", "sleeved / connected", "connected", etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] Furthermore, in this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Moreover, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown: An endoscopic snake bone life testing device of the present invention includes:

[0034] substrate1;

[0035] Two traction drive platforms 10 are symmetrically arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 1. A movable end 11 is slidably arranged on the inner side of the traction drive platform 10. A tension sensor 9 for fixing the wire drawing 8 is fixed to the movable end 11 through the adapter block 12.

[0036] A rotating drive stage 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 1. A pair of levers 3 are detachably mounted on the rotating drive stage 2. An image probe 5 is disposed directly above the rotating drive stage 2.

[0037] Clamping platform 7, its structure is as follows Figure 4 As shown, the clamping platform 7 is disposed between the traction drive platform 10 and the rotation drive platform 2. The clamping platform 7 is provided with a V-shaped groove 71, and a saddle-shaped fixing member 73 is provided above the V-shaped groove 71. The saddle-shaped fixing member 73 is provided with a threaded hole 74. The clamping platform 7 is also symmetrically provided with guide wheels 72 for guiding the wire drawing 8.

[0038] Working principle: When testing the lifespan of the endoscope serpent with wire drawing, the lever 3 on the rotating drive stage 2 needs to be removed first. One end of the wire drawing 8 is fixed to the tension sensor 9. The wire drawing 8 passes around the guide wheel 72 on the clamping stage 7. The endoscope serpent 4 is passed through the V-groove 71 on the clamping stage 7. The endoscope serpent 4 is fixed in the V-groove 71 by screwing a screw into the threaded hole 74 of the saddle-shaped fastener 73. The center of the bending structure 13 on the endoscope serpent 4 is aligned with the rotation center of the rotating drive stage 2. The traction drive stage 10 drives the wire drawing 8 to drive the endoscope serpent 4 to bend. The tension sensor 9 records the change in tension each time the endoscope serpent 4 is pulled. The image probe 5 records the bending angle and position parameters of the endoscope serpent 4 simultaneously. Two traction drive stages 10 are used to pull the two wires 8 respectively to realize the reciprocating left and right bending motion of the endoscope serpent 4. The lifespan of the endoscope serpent 4 is then measured by the change in mechanical properties during the bending motion.

[0039] When testing the lifespan of an endoscope serpentine without wire drawing, the endoscope serpentine 4 is passed through the V-groove 71 on the clamping stage 7. A screw is screwed into the threaded hole 74 of the saddle-shaped fastener 73 to fix the endoscope serpentine 4 in the V-groove 71. The center of the bending structure 13 on the endoscope serpentine 4 is aligned with the rotation center of the rotating drive stage 2. The endoscope serpentine 4 passes through the gap between the two levers 3 on the rotating drive stage 2. The levers 3 on the rotating drive stage 2 drive the endoscope serpentine 4 to bend left and right. The levers 4 first rotate the endoscope serpentine 4 to a set angle, then return to the initial position. At this time, the image probe 5 records the position of the endoscope serpentine 4. By recording the change in the position of the endoscope serpentine 4 with the number of bends, the change in the elasticity of the endoscope serpentine 4 can be monitored, thereby obtaining fatigue life information of the bending structure of the endoscope serpentine 4.

[0040] In the above technical solution, the image probe 5 is fixed to the substrate 1 by the support frame 6, the measurement angle of the image probe 5 is perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 1, and the measurement range of the image probe 5 covers the entire curved structure 13 and lever 3 of the endoscope snake bone 4.

[0041] In the above technical solution, there is no contact between the two levers 3, and a gap is provided between the two levers 3.

[0042] In the above technical solution, the rotating shaft of the rotating drive stage 2 is located on the symmetrical plane of the V-groove 71. This arrangement can ensure that the center of the curved structure 13 of the endoscope snake bone 4 is aligned with the rotation center of the rotating drive stage 2, so as to better conduct life test.

[0043] In the above technical solution, the image probe 5 is an image probe based on the visible light optical measurement principle or an image probe based on the X-ray optical measurement principle.

[0044] In the above technical solution, the rotary drive stage 2 is one of a stepper motor, a servo motor, or a piezoelectric ceramic motor.

[0045] In the above technical solution, the traction drive platform 10 is one of a linear stepper motor, a rotary stepper motor, a servo motor, or a piezoelectric ceramic motor.

[0046] In the above technical solution, four traction drive stages are provided, and two sets of imaging probes are provided. Two of the traction drive stages pull the endoscope snake bone perpendicular to the substrate plane via wire pulling, while the other two traction drive stages pull the endoscope snake bone parallel to the substrate plane via wire pulling. The measurement angle of one imaging probe is parallel to the substrate plane, and the measurement angle of the other imaging probe is perpendicular to the substrate plane. In this endoscope snake bone life testing device with this configuration, the four traction drive stages pull the endoscope snake bone in bending motion from four directions (up, down, left, and right), and the two imaging probes record the angle and position of the endoscope snake bone in the four directions (up, down, left, and right) from two orthogonal directions.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for testing the lifespan of an endoscope serpentine without wire drawing using an endoscope serpentine lifespan testing device. The endoscope serpentine 4 is passed through the V-groove 71 on the clamping platform 7, and the endoscope serpentine 4 is fixed in the V-groove 71 by screwing screws into the threaded holes 74 of the saddle-shaped fixing member 73. The center of the bending structure 13 on the endoscope serpentine 4 is aligned with the rotation center of the rotating drive platform 2. The endoscope serpentine 4 passes through the gap between the two levers 3 provided on the rotating drive platform 2. The endoscope serpentine 4 is driven to bend left and right by the levers 3 on the rotating drive platform 2. The levers 4 first drive the endoscope serpentine 4 to rotate to a set angle, and then return to the initial position. At this time, the image probe 5 records the position of the endoscope serpentine 4. By recording the change in the position of the endoscope serpentine 4 with the number of bends, the change in the elasticity of the endoscope serpentine 4 can be monitored, thereby obtaining the fatigue life information of the bending structure of the endoscope serpentine 4.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, this embodiment provides a method for testing the lifespan of an endoscope skeleton with assembled wire drawing using an endoscope skeleton lifespan testing device. First, the lever 3 on the rotating drive platform 2 needs to be removed. One end of the wire drawing 8 is fixed to the tension sensor 9. The wire drawing 8 passes sequentially around the guide wheel 72 on the clamping platform 7. The endoscope skeleton 4 is then passed through the V-groove 71 on the clamping platform 7. A screw is screwed into the threaded hole 74 of the saddle-shaped fixing member 73 to fix the endoscope skeleton 4 in the V-groove 71. The center of the bending structure 13 on the endoscope skeleton 4 is aligned with the rotating drive platform 2. The rotation center is aligned; the traction drive stage 10 drives the wire 8 to drive the endoscope snake 4 to bend. The tension sensor 9 records the change in tension each time the endoscope snake 4 is pulled by the wire 8. The image probe 5 records the bending angle and position parameters of the endoscope snake 4 simultaneously. Two traction drive stages 10 are used to pull two wires 8 respectively to realize the reciprocating left and right bending motion of the endoscope snake 4. Then, by the change of mechanical properties during the bending motion, the tension change curve of the tension sensor is obtained to realize the measurement of the life of the endoscope snake 4.

[0051] The number of devices and processing scale described herein are for the purpose of simplifying the description of the invention. Applications, modifications, and variations of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0052] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrations shown and described herein.

Claims

1. An endoscopic snake bone lifespan testing device, characterized in that, include: substrate; Two traction drive platforms are symmetrically arranged on the upper surface of the substrate. A movable end is slidably arranged on the inner side of the traction drive platform. The movable end is fixed with a tension sensor for fixing the wire drawing through an adapter block. A rotating drive stage is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. A pair of levers are detachably mounted on the rotating drive stage, and an image probe is disposed directly above the rotating drive stage. A clamping platform is disposed between the traction drive platform and the rotation drive platform. A V-shaped groove is provided on the clamping platform, and a saddle-shaped fixing member is provided above the V-shaped groove. A threaded hole is provided on the saddle-shaped fixing member.

2. The endoscopic snake bone life testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The imaging probe is fixed to the substrate by a support frame. The measurement angle of the imaging probe is perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. The measurement range of the imaging probe covers the entire endoscopic snake-bone curved structure and lever.

3. The endoscopic snake bone life testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, There is no contact between the two levers, and a gap is provided between the two levers.

4. The endoscopic snake bone life testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating drive platform's axis is located on the symmetry plane of the V-groove.

5. The endoscopic snake bone life testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The image probe is either an image probe based on the visible light optical measurement principle or an image probe based on the X-ray optical measurement principle.

6. The endoscopic snake bone life testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotary drive platform is one of a stepper motor, a servo motor, or a piezoelectric ceramic motor.

7. The endoscopic snake bone life testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The traction drive platform is one of the following: linear stepper motor, rotary stepper motor, servo motor, or piezoelectric ceramic motor.

8. The endoscopic snake bone life testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Four traction drive stages are provided, and two sets of imaging probes are provided. Two of the traction drive stages pull the endoscope snake bone in a direction perpendicular to the substrate plane by wire pulling, while the other two traction drive stages pull the endoscope snake bone in a direction parallel to the substrate plane by wire pulling. The measurement angle of one imaging probe is parallel to the substrate plane, and the measurement angle of the other imaging probe is perpendicular to the substrate plane.

9. A method for testing the lifespan of an endoscope using the endoscope bone lifespan testing device as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, When performing a lifespan test on an endoscope skeleton with a wire-drawing mechanism, the lever on the rotating drive platform must first be removed. One end of the wire-drawing mechanism is then fixed to the tension sensor. The wire-drawing mechanism passes sequentially around the guide wheels on the clamping platform, and the endoscope skeleton passes through the V-groove on the clamping platform. By screwing screws into the threaded holes of the saddle-shaped fastener, the endoscope skeleton is fixed in the V-groove. The center of the bending structure on the endoscope skeleton is aligned with the rotation center of the rotating drive platform. The traction drive platform drives the wire-drawing mechanism to bend the endoscope skeleton. The tension sensor records the change in tension each time the endoscope skeleton is pulled. The imaging probe simultaneously records the bending angle and position parameters of the endoscope skeleton. Two traction drive platforms are used to pull two wires respectively, realizing the reciprocating left and right bending motion of the endoscope skeleton. By observing the changes in mechanical properties during the bending motion, the tension change curve of the tension sensor is obtained, thus measuring the lifespan of the endoscope skeleton.

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