Detachable Endoscope Drive Cable for Easier Reprocessing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems face challenges in efficiently observing and treating luminal organs due to the complexity of handling and reprocessing electrically driven endoscopes, which are difficult to clean and maintain.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope system incorporates a drive cable, an endoscope with a bending section, a drive device to control the bending section, and a connector assembly with a drape to facilitate easy handling, reprocessing, and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an electrically driven endoscope is used for efficient observation and treatment, then observation and treatment efficiency is improved, but handling and reprocessing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope system is divided into separable components: the endoscope body and the drive cable assembly. The connector allows detachment between these components, enabling the endoscope to be separated from the electrically driven parts for independent reprocessing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining productivity through electrical drive while improving ease of operation through separable, easier-to-clean components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive cable and motor assembly are extracted as separate components from the endoscope body. The connector enables removal of the drive cable assembly, which contains the electrical drive mechanisms that are difficult to reprocess. By taking out these complex components, the endoscope body becomes simpler to clean and reprocess, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and ease of reprocessing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the connector allows instrument insertion, then treatment capability is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector acts as an intermediary component between the sterile endoscope and the non-sterile drive cable. It provides a controlled interface that allows instrument passage while maintaining separation between sterile and non-sterile zones. The drape further mediates by creating a barrier that prevents contamination transmission, thus maintaining treatment capability while reducing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
A drape (flexible film barrier) is introduced to cover the connector and drive cable assembly. This thin film creates a protective barrier that prevents contamination while allowing the connector to maintain its function of enabling instrument insertion. The drape resolves the contradiction by providing physical isolation that reduces contamination risk without compromising treatment capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the endoscope components are integrated, then system stability is improved, but reprocessing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components connected by a connector: the endoscope body and the drive cable assembly. This segmentation maintains system stability through standardized connections while enabling separate reprocessing of each component. The connector ensures stable mechanical and electrical connections during use, but allows easy separation for reprocessing, resolving the contradiction between stability and reprocessing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector provides dynamic functionality by allowing the system to transition between integrated state (during operation for stability) and separated state (during reprocessing for ease of cleaning). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements versus maintenance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system includes: a drive cable; an endoscope comprising a bending section; a drive device configured to connect to a proximal end of the drive cable to drive the bending section; a connector configured to detachably connect the drive cable and the endoscope, the connector including an opening through which an instrument configured to be inserted into the endoscope, and a drape provided at a portion of the connector.