Electronic Endoscope Insertion Part with Detachable Rack Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic endoscopes face challenges in designing a separable front end from the rear end due to chain transmission, leading to decreased operability, increased weight, and higher costs, while hygiene and safety issues persist due to incomplete sterilization.

Innovation Solution

The electronic endoscope design incorporates racks and gears for transmission, allowing the front end to be detachable, with rolling friction to control movement direction, enhancing precision and reliability, and enabling a disposable part to prevent cross-infection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If chain transmission is used to drive the bending portion, then the transmission function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the front end cannot be made separable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparability of front endVSAvoidtransmission structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscope is divided into separable front end and rear end portions. The front end includes the bending portion and camera, while the rear end includes the operation portion. This segmentation allows the front end to be detached for disposal, eliminating cross-infection risks while maintaining transmission functionality through the main hose connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional chain transmission system with a more compact mechanical transmission system using racks and pinions. The racks are disposed within the bending portion and engage with pinions in the operation portion, providing a simpler structure that enables separability while maintaining bending control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If chain transmission structure is added, then transmission function is achieved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission functionalityVSAvoidendoscope weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the heavy chain transmission system with a lighter rack and pinion mechanism. The racks are integrated into the bending portion structure, and the pinions are mounted on the operation portion shaft, creating a more weight-efficient transmission system that maintains reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If chain transmission is used, then bending control is achieved, but the operability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending control capabilityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex chain transmission with a direct rack and pinion mechanism where the racks are disposed within the bending portion and engage with pinions mounted on the operation portion shaft. This substitution simplifies the mechanical connection, improving operability while maintaining bending control capability through direct mechanical engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 separable design improves operation precision and reliability, enhances user experience, and prevents cross-infection by making the front end disposable, while maintaining effective transmission functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the connection portion racks are connected with control ropes, and the control ropes pass through the main hose and are connected with the connection portion racks and the bending portion in such manner of converting fore-aft movement of the connection portion racks into bending of the bending portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the connection portion transmission comprises connection portion racks as well as a connection portion gear and a connection portion rack guide roller set which are respectively located at opposite sides of the connection portion racks, the connection portion gear is rotatably supported in the connection portion shell, and the connection portion racks are engaged with the connection portion gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentUS12440091B2Insertion part of electronic endoscope and electronic endoscope

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 BEIJING HOTWIRE MEDICAL TECH DEV CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to an instrument for inspecting a cavity or a tract of a human body in a visual or photographing mode, in particular to an insertion part of an electronic endoscope and the electronic endoscope. The electronic endoscope comprises an operation part and the insertion part which are detachably connected, a plurality of operation part rack guide rollers in the operation part are arrayed in the fore-aft direction of an operation part shell, operation part racks are slidably supported on the plurality of operation part rack guide rollers, and the operation part racks and the connection portion racks are detachable. In this way, the insertion part of the electronic endoscope can be made into a disposable part to eliminate cross infection among patients.