Ear Scope Stabilizer for Balanced Endoscopic Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear surgery techniques face challenges such as limited field of view, ergonomic issues due to large equipment, and instability of endoscopes, leading to complications and prolonged recovery times, especially when accessing difficult areas like the sinus tympani and facial recess.
Innovation Solution
A scope with a stabilizer that maintains its center of gravity within a speculum, incorporating a camera and a weight-balanced design using low and high-density materials, along with a stabilizer that allows for two-handed surgical techniques and adjustable features like probe movement and image orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a camera is added to the scope to enable video visualization, then the field of view and diagnostic capability are improved, but the centre of gravity shifts towards the proximal end causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is added to the distal end of the scope to compensate for the proximal shift in centre of gravity caused by the camera. This counterbalancing mechanism restores stability to the scope, allowing it to be held and maneuvered without excessive fatigue or instability during ear surgery procedures.
2Area of stationary object
If a longer endoscope is used to improve field of view, then visualization of difficult areas is improved, but the centre of gravity shifts further away increasing leverage that can overpower locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is positioned at the distal end of the longer endoscope to balance the increased leverage effect. This counterbalancing arrangement neutralizes the excessive torque that would otherwise overpower friction grips and locking mechanisms, enabling stable operation of extended-length scopes for improved visualization of deep ear structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the endoscope length is reduced to avoid centre of gravity shift, then scope stability is improved, but the video camera head obstructs access to the surgical area
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is added to shorter endoscopes to maintain centre of gravity balance, enabling stable handling while preserving the unobstructed camera head design. This allows short scopes to provide both stability and clear visualization without the camera head interfering with surgical instrument access to the ear canal.
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional microscope equipment is used for ear surgery, then surgical precision is maintained, but ergonomic issues arise due to the large size of the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical microscope system is replaced with a compact endoscopic system that uses optical fibers and digital imaging. This substitution maintains surgical precision through high-quality video visualization while dramatically reducing equipment size and improving ergonomic comfort for the surgeon during ear surgery procedures.
5Area of stationary object
If a single-handed endoscope assisted technique is used, then field of view is improved, but the surgeon must reskill to perform single-handed technique and middle ear surgery becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The counterbalanced endoscope design enables stable two-handed surgical technique by distributing weight evenly, eliminating the need for surgeons to learn difficult single-handed manipulation methods. The improved field of view is achieved while maintaining familiar two-handed operational comfort and reducing the learning curve for surgical teams.
Data Source
AI summary
A scope (1) for examining or surgically treating ears comprising at least one camera (6), a light source (7), and a stabilizer (2) for supporting the camera (7) in or on the stabilizer (2), the stabilizer (2) being integral with the camera (7) and being configured to stabilize the scope (1) in an ear canal.