Ceramic Sleeve Liner for Endoscope Working Channel Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible endoscopes are prone to damage from laser energy and wear and tear, leading to loss of structural integrity and reduced deflection at the distal end tip, which shortens their lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic sleeve liner is placed within the working channel of the endoscope, made from materials like mullite, fused silica, or alumina, to protect against laser damage and wear, maintaining the endoscope's deflection and resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a soft tubular member made of synthetic resin is used for the endoscope insertion tube, then the endoscope can be made flexible and comfortable for insertion, but the material is susceptible to damage from laser energy and wear and tear, leading to loss of structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope insertion tube is constructed using a composite structure combining a soft flexible tubular member (polyurethane or ethylene tetrafluoride resin) with a rigid ceramic member (alumina, zirconia, or silica) at the distal end. This composite design allows the insertion tube to maintain flexibility for comfortable insertion while the ceramic component provides laser resistance and wear protection, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a rigid member is attached to the distal end to protect against laser damage, then structural integrity is improved, but the device becomes unnecessarily heavy and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire insertion tube rigid to provide laser resistance, the invention applies the rigid ceramic member only at the distal end portion where the working channels are exposed to laser energy. This localized application of rigidity provides the necessary laser protection and wear resistance at the critical area while maintaining the flexibility of the proximal portion, thereby reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing difficulty compared to a fully rigid construction.
3Reliability
If the distal end portion is modified to accept a rigid member, then laser protection is achieved, but the insertion tube becomes bulky and deflection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion tube is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flexible proximal portion for insertion and manipulation, and a rigid distal portion for laser protection. The ceramic member is precisely positioned at the distal end to cover only the exposed working channel openings, minimizing the rigid portion's length. This segmentation allows the majority of the insertion tube to remain flexible for deflection while providing concentrated protection where needed, thus maintaining deflection capability despite laser protection requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If working channels are exposed at the distal end for tool passage, then functionality is maintained, but the exposed resin is vulnerable to laser burning and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid ceramic member acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the exposed working channels and the harmful laser energy. The ceramic material is positioned at the distal end to cover the working channel openings, allowing surgical tools to pass through the working channels while blocking laser energy from directly contacting and damaging the resin material. This intermediary structure maintains the functionality of tool passage while protecting against laser-induced damage and wear.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
Figure 9~11
AI summary
A flexible endoscope insertion tube having at least one working channel extending in the axial direction of the flexible tube. One or more liners are in coaxial alignment with the distal end working channel of the tube. At least one ceramic tip liner may be disposed on the interior distal end of the endoscope working channel which protects the working channel from operational wear and tear.