Elastic Positioning Clip for Endoscope Inner Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for positioning inner tubes within endoscopes, such as welding, soldering, or cementing, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to deformation due to mechanical and thermal stresses, leading to irregular illumination and potential damage to lightwave conductors.

Innovation Solution

A positioning clip with elastic segments that encloses the inner tube, providing a force-fitted connection through inner and outer support surfaces, allowing for quick installation and precise adjustment without the need for overwinding or partial melting, and can be clamped onto the inner or outer tube before insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wire pieces or blade segments are welded, soldered, or cemented to the inner tube, then mechanical support and stress distribution are improved, but the positioning process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical supportVSAvoidpositioning process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical joining processes (welding, soldering, cementing) with a simple elastic clamping mechanism. The positioning clip uses elastic deformation to clamp onto the inner tube, eliminating the need for thermal or chemical joining processes while providing sufficient mechanical support and stress distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the positioning clip from rigid to elastic, allowing it to deform and clamp onto the inner tube. This parameter change enables quick installation without joining processes while maintaining reliable mechanical support through elastic retention forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If wire pieces or blade segments are joined to the inner tube, then mechanical support is provided, but geometric precision is lost due to melting or material intrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical supportVSAvoidgeometric precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal and chemical joining methods with a purely mechanical elastic clamping system. This substitution eliminates melting, material intrusion, and distortion, thereby preserving the geometric precision of the inner tube and positioning clip while providing reliable mechanical support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If blade segments are overwound to adjust to the inner contour of the outer tube, then fit is improved, but the wire pieces or blade segments can be torn off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontour fitVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the positioning element from rigid blade segments to an elastic clip that can flex and conform to contours without requiring overwinding. The elastic parameter allows the clip to adapt to the inner contour of the outer tube while maintaining connection strength through elastic retention forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an elastic positioning clip that functions as a flexible element, allowing it to conform to the inner contour of the outer tube through elastic deformation rather than rigid overwinding. This flexibility prevents tearing while achieving the necessary contour fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If conventional joining methods are used, then mechanical support is provided, but deformation occurs due to mechanical and thermal stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical supportVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal and chemical joining systems with a mechanical elastic clamping system. This substitution eliminates thermal stresses from welding and soldering, and chemical stresses from cementing, thereby preventing deformation and maintaining structural stability while providing reliable mechanical support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the joining mechanism from permanent (welding, soldering, cementing) to reversible elastic clamping. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate mechanical and thermal stresses during autoclaving without permanent deformation, as the elastic clip can flex and return to its original shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution reduces the time and cost of positioning inner tubes, maintains geometric precision, and prevents deformation, ensuring stable mechanical support and consistent illumination during medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The clamping occurs as a result of the elasticity of the positioning clip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10244930B2Positioning clip

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

A positioning clip to position an inner tube in an outer tube of an endoscope includes at least one inner support surface to support the positioning clip on the inner tube, at least one outer support surface to support the positioning clip on the outer tube, and a clamping device to clamp the positioning clip on the inner tube or on the outer tube.