Elastic Image Tube Fitting for Endoscope Alignment and Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes face challenges with cross-infection risks due to incomplete disinfection and high costs associated with reusable equipment, and disposable endoscopes increase costs without addressing fitting issues between the image tube and visual sleeve, leading to potential damage and impaired imaging.
Innovation Solution
An image tube with a core tube and elastic member that allows axial movement, enabling adaptive fitting with the endoscope fitting assembly, ensuring accurate alignment and reducing the risk of damage during insertion and extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disposable visual sleeve is used to reduce cross-infection risk, then the probability of cross-infection is reduced, but the fitting accuracy between the image tube and optical window deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into disposable components (visual sleeve, insertion tube) and reusable components (image tube). The visual sleeve is segmented as a separate disposable component that can be easily replaced, while the expensive image tube is protected and reused. This segmentation allows the disposable part to bear the fitting tolerances while protecting the precision component.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the insertion tube and the image tube. It provides a interface that accommodates fitting tolerances and protects the image tube's optical system from damage during assembly and disassembly, while still enabling accurate optical alignment when properly installed.
2Ease of manufacture
If a reusable image tube is used to reduce cost, then the use cost is reduced, but the fitting accuracy with the visual sleeve deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the endoscope into disposable and reusable parts, the reusable image tube can be manufactured with higher precision and durability, while the disposable visual sleeve absorbs the assembly tolerances. This allows cost reduction through reuse of the expensive component without compromising overall fitting accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual sleeve is designed with cushioning features that compensate for fitting tolerances before the image tube is assembled. This beforehand cushioning protects the reusable image tube from damage during assembly and ensures proper fitting without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the reusable component.
3Manufacturing precision
If the optical system is tightly fitted to ensure imaging quality, then imaging quality is improved, but the risk of damage to the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual sleeve incorporates cushioning elements that absorb assembly forces and protect the optical system from damage. This beforehand cushioning allows the optical system to be tightly fitted for high imaging quality while preventing damage during the assembly and disassembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual sleeve serves as a protective intermediary between the external environment and the delicate optical system. It absorbs mechanical stresses and protects the optical components from direct contact with damaging forces during insertion, extraction, and cleaning operations.
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 solution enhances the adaptability and durability of the image tube, reducing the risk of damage and improving imaging quality while lowering costs by allowing for precise fitting and reducing the need for high-cost, reusable components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is compressible and resilient, so as to actuate the head end section producing moving tendency, so that the head end section axially moves away from the main insertion section
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided in the present application are a vidicon and an endoscope. The vidicon is configured to be in insertion-pull fit with an endoscope mounting assembly, and comprises a core tube and an elastic member, wherein the core tube comprises a main insertion section and a head end section in the lengthwise direction of the core tube; the head end section is connected to a distal end of the main insertion section in a sleeved manner; the head end section and/or the main insertion section can axially move close to each other under the action of an external force; and the elastic member is arranged in the core tube, and can be compressed and reset so as to drive the head end section to tend to axially move away from the main insertion section. The vidicon provided in the embodiments of the present application has a simple structure, and is adaptive in terms of length, such that accurate and appropriate fitting between the tail end of the vidicon and a lumen, in which the vidicon is mounted, of the endoscope mounting assembly is realized; and the problem of the adaptability being reduced due to manufacturing and assembly errors can be effectively solved, thereby being convenient for the vidicon to acquire images with high quality, and reducing the probability of damage to the vidicon caused by a hard bump and collision when the vidicon is mounted.