Independent Camera Head Rotation in Endoscopic Holding Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic operation systems lack the ability for independent rotation of medical optical apparatuses like camera heads and oblique viewing endoscopes about their optical axes, limiting their functionality and hand-eye coordination during surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
A medical holding apparatus with actuators that allow independent rotation of camera heads and endoscopes about their optical axes, enabling enhanced field of view and improved hand-eye coordination, along with a drape mounting mechanism for separating clean and unclean areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single rotational degree of freedom is provided at the distal end of an endoscope, then the structure is simple, but independent rotation of the camera head and endoscope about the optical axis is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: a first rotation mechanism for rotating the endoscope about the optical axis, and a second rotation mechanism for independently rotating the camera head about the optical axis. This segmentation allows each mechanism to perform a specific rotation function without interfering with the other, enabling independent rotation while keeping each individual mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotation transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the first and second rotation mechanisms. This intermediary component transmits and coordinates the rotational movements, allowing the two independent rotation mechanisms to work together harmoniously without direct interference, thus enabling dual independent rotation capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the camera head and endoscope rotate together, then the structure is simple, but hand-eye coordination is degraded during surgical operations
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The first and second rotation mechanisms can be independently activated and controlled, allowing the endoscope and camera head to rotate at different times and at different speeds. This dynamic control enables precise hand-eye coordination during surgical operations, as the surgeon can adjust the rotation of each component independently to match the operational requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent rotation of camera head and endoscope is enabled, then field of view is widened and hand-eye coordination is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the first and second rotation mechanisms share a common optical axis as their rotation reference. This universal reference frame allows the endoscope and camera head to rotate independently while maintaining consistent spatial relationships. The shared optical axis design enables multi-functional operation where either component can be rotated independently or simultaneously, maximizing field of view adjustment capability while avoiding the need for separate reference systems that would increase complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a medical holding apparatus including: a first actuator configured to cause a medical optical tool that guides light from a body cavity of a subject to a camera head during a surgical operation, to rotate about an optical axis of the medical optical tool and a rotation mechanism configured to support the camera head that acquires an image of the body cavity of the subject via the medical optical tool, the camera head being rotatable about the optical axis of the medical optical tool independently from the medical optical tool.