Coaxial Endoscope Steering Assembly With Plastic Torque Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscope steering assemblies made from metal are costly, heavy, and less suitable for single-use applications, particularly in emergency medicine and mobile settings, due to their high cost and bulkiness.

Innovation Solution

A steering assembly for endoscopes, comprising first and second steering members with form locking key connections, where the shafts are coaxially arranged and made from plastic, utilizing conical form locking elements to ensure precise haptic feedback and efficient torque transmission, allowing for a lightweight and compact design suitable for single-use endoscopes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If metal steering members and shafts are used, then precision and stability are improved, but cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprecisionVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by designing the steering assembly as a disposable component made from plastic materials. The steering members and shafts are intentionally made from lightweight plastic rather than metal, accepting that they will be discarded after single use. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for heavy metal construction while maintaining adequate functionality for single-use applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and cost characteristics. By selecting plastic materials with appropriate mechanical properties, the design achieves the required precision and stability for steering control while dramatically reducing weight and cost, making it suitable for single-use endoscopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If metal steering members and shafts are used, then precision and stability are improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprecisionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by designing the steering assembly as a disposable component made from plastic materials. The steering members and shafts are intentionally made from lightweight plastic rather than metal, accepting that they will be discarded after single use. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for heavy metal construction while maintaining adequate functionality for single-use applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and cost characteristics. By selecting plastic materials with appropriate mechanical properties, the design achieves the required precision and stability for steering control while dramatically reducing weight and cost, making it suitable for single-use endoscopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If metal steering members and shafts are used, then stability is improved, but device length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice length

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and cost characteristics. By selecting plastic materials with appropriate mechanical properties, the design achieves the required precision and stability for steering control while dramatically reducing weight and cost, making it suitable for single-use endoscopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12533009B2Steering assembly for an endoscope, in particular for a single use endoscope

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 AMBU AS

AI summary

A steering assembly for an endoscope, the steering assembly including a first steering member rotatable around a rotation axis for bending a tip of the endoscope in a first directional plane, a second steering member rotatable around the rotation axis for bending the tip of the endoscope in a second directional plane, a first shaft mechanically engaged by a first form locking key connection with the first steering member for transmitting a torque induced by the first steering member to a first wire drum, a second shaft mechanically engaged by a second form locking key connection with the second steering member for transmitting a torque induced by the second steering member to a second wire drum, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are arranged coaxially to each other.