A method of manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end

Abstract

The application discloses a manufacturing method of an endoscope tip and an insertion end, and comprises the following steps: manufacturing a first component, bonding a camera module, a light source component and an instrument channel after placing them at preset positions to obtain the first component; manufacturing a second component, installing a steel wire positioning sheet in front of a first snake bone unit after taking an appropriate snake bone, positioning a positioning block of the steel wire positioning sheet in a socket on the first snake bone unit, then passing a steel wire through a wire passing groove on the snake bone, fixing the steel wire on the steel wire positioning sheet through a fixed terminal after the front end of the steel wire passes through a steel wire passing groove of the steel wire positioning sheet, embedding a first snake bone unit with an insert, then injecting glue to obtain the second component; manufacturing a third component, inserting the first component into a middle through hole of the steel wire positioning sheet of the second component to obtain the third component; and pouring, loading the third component into a mold, then slowly injecting glue into the mold, so that the glue covers the first component and connects the first snake bone unit to form the tip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of endoscope manufacturing technology, and in particular to a method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end. Background Technology

[0002] The tip of the endoscope is installed at the front end of the insertion tube. Inside, there are camera modules, light source components, instrument channel tubes, etc. The installation and operation space is very small, but there are many parts to be installed and the installation accuracy requirements are high.

[0003] Currently, mounting brackets are used to position and install camera modules, light source components, and instrument channels. However, this method requires very high manufacturing precision for the mounting brackets, resulting in high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, because the tip size is relatively small, installation is also quite complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end, which eliminates the need for a mounting base to install the camera module, light source assembly, and instrument channel, facilitating connection with the serpentine frame.

[0005] A method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0006] To create the first component, the camera module, light source assembly, and instrument channel are placed in the preset positions and then glued together.

[0007] To make the second component, take a suitable snake bone and install a wire positioning plate in front of the first snake bone unit. Then, pass the wire through the wire groove on the snake bone. After the front end of the wire passes through the wire groove of the wire positioning plate, it is fixed to the wire positioning plate through the fixing terminal. At this time, the wire is in a unidirectional constraint state. Use an insert to embed it on the first snake bone unit. Use the insert to block the through hole in the middle of the wire positioning plate. Then, use glue to fill the space between the wire fixing terminals on both sides and the side wall of the first snake bone unit to obtain the second component.

[0008] To fabricate a third component, the first component is inserted into the middle through hole of the wire positioning piece of the second component, thus obtaining the third component;

[0009] The process involves potting the third component into a mold, then slowly injecting glue into the mold to coat the first component and connect it to the first segment of the snake bone unit to form the tip.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end has at least the following advantages: This process, by setting a first component, a second component, and a third component, connecting the third component to the serpentine skeleton, and then performing injection molding to form the tip connected to the serpentine skeleton, eliminates the hassle of installing each component on the tip mounting base. Because the endoscope tip is formed by injection molding and curing, it solves the problem of needing to dimensionally configure the endoscope tip with various internal components, camera modules, light source components, and instrument channels. The challenge lies in achieving a smaller tip size using the same internal components through injection molding. A smaller tip reduces irritation to the patient, improving comfort. Furthermore, the molded cavity during molding ensures a smooth transition and eliminates sharp edges, minimizing irritation to the patient's natural cavities. Additionally, the injection molding process simplifies the connection of other endoscope tip components, such as the connection between the tip and the serpentine skeleton, and the fixation of the steel wire to the first serpentine unit. This process also reduces production costs and improves efficiency. Finally, it meets the expected lifespan, better suited to the use of disposable endoscopes.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the step of manufacturing the first component, the camera module and the instrument channel are first bonded together to form a preform, then the preform is placed in a positioning fixture, and then the light source assembly is pasted at a predetermined position on the preform to form the first component. The bonding of the camera module and the instrument channel is more convenient, and the two bonding together facilitates the placement.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, during the formation of the preform, an installation module is used to fix the camera module and the instrument channel. After fixing, glue is injected to bond the camera module and the instrument channel. Using an installation module for fixing makes it difficult for the camera module and the instrument channel to shift during the glue injection process, which facilitates glue injection and bonding.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, during the formation of the preform, the end of the camera module away from the snake bone protrudes slightly from the instrument channel, so that after potting, a smooth transition surface can be poured out of the instrument channel outlet.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the potting step, fluorescent substances and metal powders are added to the adhesive, wherein the fluorescent substances are used to enhance illumination and the metal powders are used to enhance the development of the tip.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when attaching the light source assembly, a metal sheet fixture is used to fix the preform and the light source assembly, and then the preform and the light source assembly are glued together.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive used for bonding and / or potting includes UV-curing adhesive or quick-drying adhesive, wherein the UV-curing adhesive is cured by UV lamp irradiation after injection.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of light-transmitting glass plates are provided at the end of the light source assembly away from the snake bone.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the wire positioning plate is provided with wire through grooves on both sides, and the wire positioning plate is provided with a through hole in the middle for the wire of the camera module and the instrument channel to pass through.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the side of the wire positioning piece is further provided with a positioning protrusion, and when the wire positioning piece is installed, the positioning protrusion on the wire positioning piece is engaged in the slot on the first section of the snake bone unit.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second component, the steel wire positioning piece, before installation, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure after the second component steel wire positioning piece is installed and the insert is then installed and glued.

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the second component after the insert has been removed.

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a structure in which the first component is inserted into a via on the second component to form the third component;

[0027] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure after the first component is encapsulated with adhesive for the third component.

[0028] First component 100, camera module 110, instrument channel 120, light source assembly 130;

[0029] Second component 200, snake bone 210, first snake bone unit 211;

[0030] Wire positioning piece 212, wire through groove 212a, through hole 212b, positioning protrusion 212c, fixing terminal 212d, insert 212e;

[0031] The third component is 300. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0033] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0034] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0035] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installing," and "connecting" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0036] Reference Figures 1 to 6 A method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end, comprising the following steps:

[0037] To create the first component 100, the camera module 110, the light source assembly 130, and the instrument channel 120 are placed in preset positions and then glued together to obtain the first component 100.

[0038] To fabricate the second component 200, a suitable snake bone 210 is taken, and a wire positioning plate 212 is installed in front of the first snake bone unit 211. The wire positioning plate 212 has wire grooves 212a on both sides and a through hole 212b in the middle for the wires of the camera module 110 and the instrument channel 120 to pass through. Positioning protrusions 212c are also provided on the sides of the wire positioning plate 212. When installing the wire positioning plate 212, the positioning protrusions 212c on the wire positioning plate 212 are engaged in the slots on the first snake bone unit 211. Then, the wire is passed through the wire grooves on the snake bone 210, and the front end of the wire passes through the wire positioning plate. After the steel wire of the positioning piece 212 passes through the groove 212a, it is fixed to the steel wire positioning piece 212 through the fixing terminal 212d. The so-called fixing terminal 212d is a block-shaped object that fixes the steel wire to the steel wire positioning piece 212, similar to the common bicycle brake wire and brake lever connection and fixing head. At this time, the steel wire is in a unidirectional constraint state. The insert 212e is embedded in the first section snake bone unit 211. The insert 212e blocks the through hole 212b in the middle of the steel wire positioning piece 212. Then, glue is used to fill the space between the steel wire fixing terminals 212d on both sides and the side wall of the first section snake bone unit 211 to obtain the second component 200.

[0039] To make the third component 300, insert the first component 100 into the middle through hole 212b of the wire positioning piece 212 of the second component 200 to obtain the third component 300.

[0040] The third component 300 is loaded into the mold, and then glue is slowly injected into the mold so that the glue covers the first component 100 and connects it with the first snake bone unit 211 to form the tip.

[0041] This process involves setting up a first component 100, a second component 200, and a third component 300, connecting the third component 300 to the snake bone 210, and then injection molding to form the tip connected to the snake bone 210. This eliminates the hassle of installing each component on the tip mounting base, as the endoscope tip is formed by injection molding and curing. This solves the problem of dimensional configuration of the endoscope tip with various internal components such as the camera module 110, the light source assembly 130, and the instrument channel 120. The same internal components can achieve a smaller tip size through injection molding and curing. A smaller tip size reduces irritation to the patient and improves patient comfort. In addition, the application of the potting process simplifies the connection of other components of the endoscope tip, such as the connection between the tip and the snake bone 210, and the fixation of the steel wire on the first snake bone unit 211. The application of the potting process reduces production costs and improves production efficiency. It meets the expected service life and is more suitable for the use of disposable endoscopes.

[0042] Understandably, the pre-set placement of the camera module 110, light source assembly 130, and instrument channel 120 involves placing the camera module 110 and instrument channel 120 side-by-side, then injecting glue to form a prefabricated component, and finally attaching the light source assembly 130 to the opposite sides of the rectangular camera module 110. In bronchoscope fabrication, this approach achieves a better forceps diameter to forceps channel diameter / tip diameter ratio. That is, with the same outer diameter, a larger forceps channel can accommodate more consumables of various sizes, providing better operating space for diagnosis and treatment. Because this approach uses a potting process, the initial diameter of the forceps channel and instrument channel 120 can be adjusted. In ureteroscope fabrication, this approach achieves a better sheath ratio to ureteroscope diameter / ureteral sheath inner diameter. That is, by selecting a guide sheath with the same inner diameter, a smaller scope size can maintain lower intrarenal pressure and perfusion, improving stone clearance efficiency and reducing complications.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 The wire positioning piece 212 is sheet-shaped, and its outer contour matches the inner contour of the first section of the snake-bone unit 211. The through hole 212b of the wire positioning piece 212 is configured to fit the cross-section of the first component 100, that is, the first component 100 can be locked by the through hole 212b after being inserted into it. In addition, the wire positioning piece 212 is embedded in the inner cavity of the first section of the snake-bone unit 211 and abuts against the wire groove inside the first section of the snake-bone unit 211. The wire groove 212a of the wire positioning piece 212 is configured to correspond to the wire groove inside the first section of the snake-bone unit 211, which also plays a guiding role in the installation of the wire positioning piece 212. Similarly, the snap-fit ​​on the first section of the snake-bone unit 211 also plays a positioning and guiding role for the positioning protrusion 212c on the wire positioning piece 212. It can be understood that the snap-fit ​​and the positioning protrusion 212c are shaped to fit together.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 In the process of making the first component 100, the camera module 110 and the instrument channel 120 are first bonded together to form a prefabricated part. Then, the prefabricated part is placed in a positioning fixture, and the light source component 130 is then pasted into the predetermined position of the prefabricated part to form the first component 100. The bonding of the camera module 110 and the instrument channel 120 is more convenient, and bonding them in pairs facilitates placement.

[0045] In some embodiments, the predetermined position of the prefabricated part is the joint between the camera module 110 and the instrument channel 120. Adhesive is applied to both sides of the joint, and the light source assembly 130 is attached and then fixed with glue. The joint position is easy to find and can accommodate more glue, which makes it easier to firmly attach the light source assembly 130.

[0046] In some embodiments, during the formation of the preform, the end of the camera module 110 away from the snake bone 210 protrudes slightly beyond the instrument channel 120 so that after potting, a smooth transition surface can be poured out of the outlet of the instrument channel 120.

[0047] In some embodiments, during the potting step, fluorescent material and metal powder are added to the adhesive. The fluorescent material is used to enhance illumination, and the metal powder is used to enhance the development of the tip.

[0048] In some embodiments, when pasting the light source assembly 130, a metal sheet fixture is used to fix the prefabricated part and the light source assembly 130, and then the prefabricated part and the light source assembly 130 are glued together. It can be understood that the metal sheet fixture is based on the positioning fixture, and a metal sheet is used to position the LED beads, so that the LED beads are placed in the predetermined position of the prefabricated part under the restriction of the metal sheet, which facilitates the subsequent pasting of the LED beads.

[0049] In some embodiments, the adhesive used for bonding and / or potting includes UV-curing adhesive or quick-drying adhesive, wherein the UV-curing adhesive is cured by UV light after injection.

[0050] In some embodiments, the positioning fixture is made of fluoroplastic, POM or PTFE.

[0051] In some embodiments, the light source assembly 130 includes an LED lamp or a beam guide.

[0052] In some embodiments, a plurality of light-transmitting glass sheets are provided at the end of the light source assembly 130 away from the snake bone 210.

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: To create the first component (100), the camera module (110), the light source component (130), and the instrument channel (120) are placed in the preset positions and then glued together to obtain the first component (100). To fabricate the second component (200), a suitable snake bone (210) is taken, and a wire positioning plate (212) is installed in front of the first snake bone unit (211). The wire positioning plate (212) is plate-shaped, and its outer contour matches the inner contour of the first snake bone unit (211). The side of the wire positioning plate (212) is also provided with positioning protrusions (212c). When installing the wire positioning plate (212), the positioning protrusions (212c) on the wire positioning plate (212) are engaged in the slots on the first snake bone unit (211). Then, the wire is removed from the snake bone (210). The wire passes through the groove on the wire guide plate (212), and the front end of the wire passes through the wire guide groove (212a) of the wire guide plate (212) and is fixed on the wire guide plate (212) by the fixed terminal (212d). At this time, the wire is in a unidirectional constraint state. The insert (212e) is embedded on the first section of the snake bone unit (211). The insert (212e) blocks the through hole (212b) in the middle of the wire guide plate (212). Then, glue is used to fill the space between the wire fixed terminals (212d) on both sides and the side wall of the first section of the snake bone unit (211) to obtain the second component (200). To fabricate a third component (300), the first component (100) is inserted into the second component (200) through the middle through hole (212b) of the wire positioning piece (212), so that the main body end of the first component is exposed. The through hole (212b) of the wire positioning piece (212) is configured to fit the cross-section of the first component (100). After the first component (100) is inserted into the through hole (212b), it can be held in place by the through hole (212b), thus obtaining the third component (300). The third component (300) is loaded into the mold, and then glue is slowly injected into the mold so that the glue covers the first component (100) and connects it to the first serpentine unit (211) to form the tip.

2. The method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step of making the first component (100), the camera module (110) and the instrument channel (120) are first bonded together to form a preform, then the preform is placed in a positioning fixture, and then the light source assembly (130) is pasted on the predetermined position of the preform to form the first component (100).

3. The method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the formation of the preform, the camera module (110) and the instrument channel (120) are fixed using an installation module, and then glue is injected to bond the camera module (110) and the instrument channel (120) together.

4. The method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to claim 3, characterized in that: During the formation of the preform, the end of the camera module (110) away from the snake bone (210) protrudes from the instrument channel (120).

5. The method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the potting step, fluorescent substances and metal powders are added to the adhesive. The fluorescent substances are used to enhance illumination, and the metal powders are used to enhance the development of the tip.

6. A method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: When attaching the light source assembly (130), a metal sheet fixture is used to fix the preform and the light source assembly (130), and then the preform and the light source assembly (130) are glued together.

7. The method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source assembly (130) includes an LED lamp or a beam guide.

8. The method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source assembly (130) has several light-transmitting glass sheets at the end away from the snake bone (210).

9. A method for manufacturing an endoscope tip and insertion end according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire positioning piece (212) has wire through grooves (212a) on both sides, and the wire positioning piece (212) has a through hole (212b) in the middle for the wire of the camera module (110) and the instrument channel (120) to pass through.

Images