Collet Brake Assembly for Endoscope Articulation Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as endoscopes, face challenges in effectively limiting articulation of their sheaths during procedures, leading to high manufacturing costs and assembly complications due to complex locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A simplified locking mechanism using a brake assembly with a collet and actuator, allowing for a transition between a freely rotatable and frictionally locked configuration, reducing the number of components and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms are used to limit articulation of the sheath, then articulation control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly combines the actuator, collet, and locking features into a single integrated unit that works with the rotation knob. The collet integrates multiple locking surfaces and flexible tabs into one component that performs both locking and articulation control functions, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation knob serves multiple functions: it articulates the sheath when rotated freely and locks the sheath in position when the brake assembly is engaged. The brake assembly itself provides both the locking action and the articulation limitation, making a single component perform what traditionally required multiple specialized components.
2Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms are used to limit articulation of the sheath, then articulation control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly combines the actuator, collet, and locking features into a single integrated unit that works with the rotation knob. The collet integrates multiple locking surfaces and flexible tabs into one component that performs both locking and articulation control functions, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms are used to limit articulation of the sheath, then articulation control is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly combines the actuator, collet, and locking features into a single integrated unit that works with the rotation knob. The collet integrates multiple locking surfaces and flexible tabs into one component that performs both locking and articulation control functions, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms.
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 simplified locking mechanism reduces manufacturing costs and assembly issues while effectively limiting articulation, enhancing procedural control and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible tab of the collet may apply a frictional force to the axle, when the collet is in the second configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly comprising an axle, wherein rotation of the axle causes deflection of a portion of a medical device, a collet having an opening, wherein the axle extends through the opening, and an actuator configured to interact with the collet, wherein a first configuration of the collet permits rotation of the axle relative to the collet and a second configuration of the collet inhibits rotation of the axle relative to the collet, wherein the actuator includes a protrusion, the collet includes a tab, and the protrusion interacts with the tab to transition the collet from the first configuration to the second configuration.