Elastic Deformable Member for Medical Instrument Channel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inner diameter of treatment instrument channels in medical endoscopes is often larger than the outer diameter of treatment instruments, leading to instability in the behavior of end effectors and deteriorated operability due to bending of instrument shafts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastically deformable member, such as a coil or resin tube, within the treatment instrument channel, coupled with a channel operation mechanism that changes the cross-sectional area in response to operational forces, allowing for adjustable diameter to stabilize instrument positioning and improve operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner diameter of the treatment instrument channel is increased to facilitate instrument insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of end effector behavior deteriorates due to shaft bending
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment instrument channel incorporates an elastically deformable member that allows dynamic adjustment of the channel's cross-sectional area. The channel operation member enables the channel to transition between expanded and contracted states, providing both ease of instrument insertion and stability during operation through controlled deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The channel's physical parameters (cross-sectional area, inner diameter) are made changeable through the elastically deformable member. By adjusting the operational state of the channel operation member, the channel can modify its dimensions to match different operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between size and stability
2Device complexity
If the treatment instrument channel maintains a constant cross-sectional area, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to different operational requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The channel transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with controlled deformability. The elastically deformable member allows the channel to adapt its shape while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, achieving versatility without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The channel's physical parameters are made adjustable through the operation member, enabling the same structure to serve multiple operational purposes by changing its cross-sectional characteristics rather than requiring multiple different channel designs
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 configuration stabilizes the behavior of end effectors by reducing the inner diameter of the treatment instrument channel, preventing shaft bending and enhancing the operability of instruments, even when the channel diameter is larger than the instrument shaft, by allowing precise positioning and easy access to target sites.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable member, and a channel operation member coupled to the elastically deformable member for transmitting an operational force to the elastically deformable member, and wherein, in response to the operational force transmitted to the elastically deformable member by the channel operation member, the elastically deformable member changes a cross-sectional area of the treatment instrument channel
Data Source
AI summary
A medical apparatus comprises an insertion section inserted into a subject, a treatment instrument channel provided in the insertion section along an insertion axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the insertion section, a treatment instrument being inserted through the treatment instrument channel, an elastic member provided in at least a part of the treatment instrument channel, and a channel operation member for transmitting an operation force to the elastic member, and wherein the elastic member changes, according to the operation force, a sectional area of an inside of the treatment instrument channel in a direction crossing the insertion axis.