Detachable Wireless Endoscope Camera for Retrograde Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscopes lack auxiliary cameras, making it difficult to view all areas of the body cavity, particularly in complex geometries, which can lead to missed abnormalities and increased procedure time and patient discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A detachable wireless imaging device is attached to the endoscope's distal end, providing a retrograde view without using existing channels, featuring a friction-fit attachment, flexible link, and external control box for image adjustment and transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an auxiliary camera is added to provide rear view capability, then comprehensive visualization of body cavities is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization capabilityVSAvoidendoscope structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging system is divided into separate functional modules: a main camera integrated into the endoscope for forward viewing, and a detachable auxiliary camera unit for rear viewing. This segmentation allows the auxiliary functionality to be added without permanently modifying the endoscope structure, resolving the contradiction between enhanced visualization capability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detachable attachment unit serves as an intermediary between the endoscope and the auxiliary camera. This intermediary component enables the auxiliary camera to function independently without requiring permanent integration into the endoscope, thus providing comprehensive visualization while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an auxiliary camera is integrated into the endoscope, then comprehensive visualization is improved, but procedure time increases due to repositioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angleVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The main camera and auxiliary camera are merged into a unified imaging system that operates simultaneously. The detachable auxiliary camera unit can be attached to the endoscope distal end to provide rear viewing capability, allowing both front and rear views to be captured at the same time without requiring repositioning of the endoscope, thus reducing procedure time while improving viewing angle coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing endoscopes are modified to add auxiliary cameras, then visualization capability is improved, but modification cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging functionVSAvoidmodification cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary camera functionality is extracted as a separate detachable unit rather than being integrated into the endoscope manufacturing process. This allows existing endoscopes to be upgraded by simply attaching the auxiliary camera unit, avoiding expensive modification of the original endoscope structure while still improving imaging function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary camera system is designed with dynamic attachability rather than fixed integration. The detachable attachment unit can be added or removed from the endoscope distal end, providing flexibility that eliminates the need for permanent modification of existing endoscopes, thereby reducing modification cost while maintaining improved visualization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If channels are used to accommodate auxiliary cameras, then retrofit capability is improved, but endoscope functionality is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrofit capabilityVSAvoidendoscope function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of utilizing the endoscope's longitudinal channels for auxiliary camera accommodation, the attachment unit is positioned at the distal end in a perpendicular dimension. This dimensional shift allows the auxiliary camera to be integrated without interfering with the channels' original functionality, thus improving retrofit capability while maintaining endoscope reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables comprehensive visualization of body cavities, reducing procedure time and discomfort by providing simultaneous front and rear views without compromising the endoscope's functionality or requiring significant modification.

Implementation Method 1

the inner surface of the ring may include a rubber or silicon surface... designed to provide a friction fit between the inner surface of the ring and a cylindrical outer surface of the distal end region of the insertion tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20230225601A1Endoscope Imaging Device

Publication Date: 2023.07.20 PSIP LLC

AI summary

An endoscope includes a detachable wireless imaging device and an insertion tube having a distal end region. The attachment of the detachable wireless imaging device detachably attaches the detachable wireless imaging device to the distal end region of the insertion tube.