Artificial Muscle Endoscope Manipulator for Flexible Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical manipulators for hollow organs face challenges in providing efficient insertion, maneuverability, and treatment capabilities due to limitations in flexibility, torque transmission, and pushability, which can lead to operator fatigue.

Innovation Solution

A medical manipulator system with a flexible portion and two arms at the distal end, each equipped with a first bending portion driven by artificial muscles and a bending tube, enhancing flexibility and maneuverability, and a drive device controlling the manipulator's movement and tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional medical manipulators are used for hollow organ procedures, then basic insertion and observation functions are provided, but operator fatigue occurs and maneuverability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator fatigue reductionVSAvoidinsertion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical wire-driven bending mechanisms with artificial muscles (electromechanical actuators) that directly drive the bending portions. This substitution eliminates the need for complex wire routing and manual manipulation, reducing operator fatigue while improving insertion efficiency through more intuitive electrical control of the manipulator's movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamically controllable bending portions with artificial muscles that can adjust their rigidity and curvature in real-time based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the manipulator to adapt its shape during insertion and treatment procedures, improving both ease of operation and insertion efficiency compared to static conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If manipulator flexibility is increased to improve maneuverability, then torque transmission and pushability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidtorque transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the manipulator into multiple independent bending portions, each equipped with its own artificial muscle actuator. This segmentation allows each section to be controlled independently, enabling complex maneuvers while maintaining adequate torque transmission through the modular structure. Each segment can be optimized for both flexibility and force transmission without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction in the manipulator shaft and bending portions, combining materials with different mechanical properties to achieve both high flexibility for maneuverability and sufficient strength for torque transmission. The composite structure allows the manipulator to be flexible where needed while maintaining rigidity for effective force transmission during treatment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If artificial muscles and bending tubes are arranged side by side, then compact design is achieved, but space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidtreatment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the artificial muscles and bending tubes in a nested configuration where one component is positioned within or alongside the other, maximizing space utilization. This nested arrangement maintains structural compactness while leaving sufficient space within the manipulator for inserting treatment tools and other functional components, thereby preserving treatment capability despite the compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The system improves insertion efficiency and treatment capabilities by reducing operator fatigue through enhanced flexibility, torque transmission, and pushability, allowing for more precise and effective medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

each of the two arms includes a first bending portion, the first bending portion has an artificial muscle that drives the first bending portion to bend

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArtificial muscle actuation: Electroactive Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS20260033706A1Medical manipulator and medical manipulator system

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 OLYMPUS OF THE AMERICAS

AI summary

A medical manipulator includes a manipulator flexible portion extending in a longitudinal direction; and two arms arranged at a distal end of the manipulator flexible portion, and each of the two arms includes a first bending portion, the first bending portion has an artificial muscle that drives the first bending portion to bend, and a bending tube, and the artificial muscle and the bending tube extend along the longitudinal direction and are arranged side by side.