Endoscope Adaptor Cable Transmission for Drape Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope holding devices fail to rotate the endoscope when a drape is provided between the mount portion and the endoscope, making it difficult to rotatably hold the endoscope in a state where the holding device is covered with a drape.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope adaptor is designed to be detachably connected to a robot arm through a drape adaptor, featuring an endoscope holder, a base portion with an attachment portion, a driven member driven by the robot arm, and a transmission mechanism that allows rotation of the endoscope holder, even when a drape is present, along with a cable holder to manage the endoscope's cables and prevent interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a drape is provided between the mount portion and the endoscope to cover the robot arm, then sterile operation is ensured, but the gear part and gear cannot mesh and the endoscope cannot be rotated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterile operationVSAvoidendoscope rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible transmission member (cable) is introduced as an intermediary element that can penetrate the drape to transmit rotational force from the drive part to the endoscope holder, enabling rotation while maintaining the drape barrier for sterile operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The direct mechanical meshing of gears is replaced with a cable-based transmission system that can flexibly transmit torque through the drape, substituting rigid mechanical coupling with a flexible transmission mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the endoscope is moved by the robot arm, then imaging flexibility is improved, but the cable may swing and interfere with the robot arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging flexibilityVSAvoidcable interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is housed within a cable holder that is integrated into the endoscope holder structure, nesting the cable management function within the existing holder to prevent cable swing and interference with the robot arm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management function is extracted as a separate cable holder component that can be independently designed and positioned to optimize cable routing and prevent interference with robot arm movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11918184B2Endoscope adaptor

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 MEDICAROID CORP

AI summary

An endoscope adaptor according to an embodiment may include: an endoscope holder configured to hold an endoscope to be rotatable; and a base portion including an attachment portion, a driven member, and a transmission mechanism. The base portion includes a cable holder configured to hold a cable connected to the endoscope.