Detachable Endoscope Fitting Mechanism for Reusable Operation Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and environmental impact of single-use endoscopes are exacerbated by the disposal of expensive image pickup devices after a single use, necessitating a design that allows separation of the insertion and operation portions for reuse.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring a fitting mechanism with a plate portion and convex portion that enables detachable coupling and decoupling of the insertion and operation portions, utilizing a snap-fit structure to facilitate easy attachment and detachment, allowing the operation portion to be reused while the insertion portion is discarded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-use endoscope is used, then the insertion portion can be disposed of after one use, but the cost increases and environmental impact worsens due to disposal of expensive components like image pickup devices
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into two separable parts: a disposable insertion portion and a reusable operation portion. The insertion portion containing the image pickup device can be discarded after single use, while the expensive operation portion with the image processing unit is recovered and reused, thereby reducing waste and overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The expensive image pickup device and related components are extracted from the disposable insertion portion and placed in the reusable operation portion. This extraction allows the high-value components to be recovered and reused while only the low-value insertion portion is discarded.
2Productivity
If a separable endoscope design is implemented, then the operation portion can be reused, but the coupling and decoupling operations become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-latching. The convex portion on the insertion portion automatically engages with the corresponding concave portion on the operation portion when brought together, and the snap-fit mechanism automatically locks the connection without requiring manual alignment or complex操作步骤.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components such as convex and concave portions with snap-fit features. These simple mechanical elements are easy to manufacture and dispose of, making the overall coupling system cost-effective despite enabling reusability of the operation portion.
3Strength
If the fitting mechanism is designed for secure coupling, then the connection strength increases, but the ease of disassembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit coupling mechanism transitions from a locked state during use to an easily released state during disassembly. The elastic deformation of the snap-fit components allows for secure holding during operation, while the same elasticity enables easy release when force is applied to the release portion, providing dynamic adaptability between coupling and decoupling phases.
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
This design reduces waste and environmental load by enabling the reuse of the operation portion, thereby lowering costs and minimizing the disposal of expensive components.
Implementation Method 1
a bending wire extending from the insertion portion to the operation portion, the bending wire configured to bend the bending portion
Implementation Method 2
a coupling/decoupling mechanism holding fitting of T-shaped concave/convex portions with friction force enables attachment/detachment of an operation portion and an insertion portion
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an insertion portion, an operation portion, and a fitting mechanism coupling the insertion portion and the operation portion so as to be decouplable. The fitting mechanism includes a plate portion and a convex portion, and a fitted-shape portion and a hole. The convex portion is fitted to the fitted-shape portion. The hole exposes at least one of the plate portion or the convex portion to outside. The fitting mechanism is provided at a position around a center axis, corresponding to a bending wire.