Articulated Endoscope Tip Segmented Hinges for Kinking Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing articulated tip parts for endoscopes often limit bending direction and are prone to kinking or pre-bending due to inadequate structural support for the working channel and electrical components, which affects maneuverability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The articulated tip part is designed with multiple interconnected segments and varying thickness flexible hinge members, including a central hinge member, to enhance flexibility and resistance to torsion, while maintaining support for the working channel and electrical components, allowing for bidirectional bending and reduced risk of kinking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the articulated tip part uses a simple lumen structure for the working channel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the structural support for the working channel becomes inadequate, leading to kinking or pre-bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelumen structureVSAvoidstructural support for working channel

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated tip part is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) with distinct functions. The first segment houses the working channel, the second segment contains electrical components, and the third segment provides structural support. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function, preventing kinking while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different segments of the articulated tip part are designed with different wall thicknesses and structural properties. The first segment has a wall thickness optimized for working channel support, the second segment has enhanced structural support for electrical components, and the third segment provides additional reinforcement. This local differentiation ensures adequate support where needed without uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the articulated tip part allows bending in multiple directions, then the maneuverability is improved, but the risk of undesired bending and kinking increases due to inadequate structural support

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidresistance to undesired bending

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated tip part is divided into multiple independently controllable segments that can bend in multiple directions. Each segment is supported by corresponding structural elements within the lumen structure, allowing multi-directional bending while preventing kinking through distributed structural support throughout the articulated sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated tip part utilizes composite construction with different materials having varying flexibility and strength properties. The lumen walls are designed with composite structures that provide flexibility for bending while maintaining resistance to kinking and undesired deformation, enabling multi-directional maneuverability with reliable structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the wall thickness of the articulated tip part is increased to provide structural support, then the resistance to kinking is improved, but the flexibility and maneuverability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to kinkingVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wall thickness of the articulated tip part is varied locally across different segments and regions. Thicker walls are provided in areas requiring structural support to prevent kinking, while thinner walls are used in sections requiring flexibility for bending. This localized differentiation optimizes both kinking resistance and flexibility without compromising either property throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated tip part is segmented into multiple sections with different wall thicknesses optimized for their specific functional requirements. This segmentation allows thick-walled sections to provide kinking resistance where structural support is critical, while thin-walled sections maintain flexibility for maneuverability, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2941174B1An articulated tip part for an endoscope

Publication Date: 2019.12.04 AMBU AS

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AI summary

An articulated tip part (3) for an endoscope (1). The articulated tip part (3) comprises a distal end segment (4), a proximal end segment (6) and a number of intermediate segments (5) arranged between the distal end segment (4) and the proximal end segment (6). Each intermediate segment (5) comprises a first passage (8) adapted to accommodate and support an outer wall (11) of a tube (9) providing a working channel of the endoscope (1).