Camera Head Adaptor with Elastic Holding for Endoscope Cable Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical assistance systems face issues with stress on electrical wirings and optical cables due to clamping of endoscope insertion portions, leading to instability and image quality deterioration, and require a simple and adaptable mechanism for holding the camera head.
Innovation Solution
A camera head adaptor with an elastically deformable holding portion and a detachable connecting portion, allowing the camera head to be securely held and released with an external force, and accommodating variations in camera head size and shape without stressing the cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insertion portion is clamped by the device support to hold the endoscope, then the camera head can be secured, but stress is applied to electrical wirings and optical cables in the insertion portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful clamping action from the insertion portion and applies it only to the camera head. The holding portion is designed to clamp exclusively the camera head body, separating the holding function from the insertion portion to eliminate stress on electrical wirings and optical cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope holder is segmented into distinct functional zones: a holding portion for the camera head and a passage portion for the insertion portion. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each zone, enabling secure camera head holding while maintaining cable-free passage for the insertion portion.
2Reliability
If the distance between clamping materials is adjusted to balance the weight of camera head and insertion portion, then holding stability is improved, but the operation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion is designed with self-adjusting elastic deformation characteristics that automatically adapt to different camera head weights and dimensions. The elastic material naturally deforms to provide appropriate clamping force without requiring manual adjustment of distances or complex balancing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastic material properties that allow dynamic parameter changes in the holding portion. The elastic deformation capability enables the holding structure to adapt its physical parameters (shape, size, force) based on the loaded camera head characteristics, simplifying operation while maintaining stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed configuration holding structure is used for the camera head, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different camera head sizes and shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion is constructed from elastic material that can change its physical parameters (shape, size, stiffness) through deformation. This allows a single fixed-configuration structure to adapt to various camera head sizes and shapes, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an elastic body as the holding portion, which functions as a flexible structure. This flexible shell can deform to conform to different camera head geometries, providing adaptability to various sizes and shapes without requiring multiple fixed-configuration designs.
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 simple and stress-free attachment and detachment of the endoscope, preventing damage to electrical and optical cables while allowing for easy adaptation to different camera head sizes and shapes, ensuring stable operation and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the holding portion is composed of an elastically deformable material and comprises a plurality of wall portions that elastically hold the camera head inserted in the holding portion while being in contact with the camera head
Implementation Method 2
the release structure is preferably configured such that the holding of the camera head is released by elastic deformation or plastic deformation of the plurality of wall portions when the external force of the predetermined value or more is applied
Implementation Method 3
the release structure is preferably configured such that the holding of the camera head is released by elastic deformation or plastic deformation of the plurality of wall portions
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
An object is to provide a camera head adaptor that allows an endoscope to be detachably attached with a simple operation and that can prevent stress on electrical wirings, optical cables, etc. in an insertion portion due to a camera head being held. The camera head adaptor for holding an endoscope having a camera head comprises: a holding portion that holds the camera head of the endoscope in a detachable manner; a connecting portion that extends along an observation optical axis of the camera head and can be attached to a support structure; and a coupling portion that couples the holding portion and the connecting portion.