Form-Locked Endoscope Adapter for Medical Appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope coupling systems require multiple couplings and adapters, leading to complex handling, reduced light yield, and increased costs due to the need for precise adjustments and producer involvement, especially when switching between direct endoscope coupling and light conductor cable coupling.
Innovation Solution
An adapter device with a form-locked mechanism that securely attaches to the medical appliance at a predetermined angle, allowing for easy replacement and minimizing light transmission losses, featuring a recess and convex configuration for secure positioning and a fastening screw-on sheath for reliable attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a medical appliance is equipped with a coupling for direct coupling with a proximal end of an endoscope, then direct coupling is possible, but a light conductor cable can only be coupled by means of an auxiliary adapter which reduces light yield and makes handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter device is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both direct endoscope coupling and light conductor cable coupling through the same coupling structure on the medical appliance, eliminating the need for different coupling types
2Adaptability or versatility
If different couplings are provided for light conductor cable and direct endoscope coupling, then both coupling types are supported, but the medical appliance must have two different couplings and exchange is possible only with producer
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter device serves multiple functions: it can be coupled with the medical appliance's single coupling device, and simultaneously provide interfaces for both endoscope direct coupling and light conductor cable coupling, consolidating multiple coupling requirements into one universal adapter
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter device acts as an intermediary component between the medical appliance's coupling device and the endoscope or light conductor cable, mediating the connection and eliminating the need for the medical appliance to have multiple different couplings
3Manufacturing precision
If coupling on medical appliance must be precisely adjusted, then coupling precision is ensured, but exchange of coupling is possible only with producer and causes downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter device is pre-configured with the precise coupling adjustments required for optimal optical alignment during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the adapter to be exchanged by end users without requiring precision adjustment skills or producer involvement, eliminating downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter device is designed as a replaceable, potentially disposable component that can be easily exchanged by end users. Rather than requiring expensive and time-consuming adjustment of the main medical appliance coupling, the entire adapter assembly can be replaced as a unit, reducing downtime and maintenance costs
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter device, which is configured to couple an endoscope with a medical appliance, such that the medical appliance is provided to generate light to illuminate an object to be investigated by an endoscope, includes an adapter body with a through-hole through which light generated by the medical appliance can be transmitted, and a fastening device to removably secure the adapter body on the medical appliance. The side of the adapter body that is to face the medical appliance is configured to be held form-locked in a predetermined angle position when the adapter body is secured on the medical appliance.