Endoscope Albarran Lever Segmentation for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in preventing the transmission of germs and microorganisms from one patient to another during reuse, despite reprocessing efforts, due to complex elevator lever designs that can harbor and transmit pathogens.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design features a detachable elevator lever with a simple, undercut-free shaft and base section that fits into a specific arrangement space, allowing easy installation and removal without fasteners, and a cap to secure the lever in place, preventing accidental dislodgment and facilitating effective cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Albarran lever is designed with a complex shape to fit the endoscope head, then the lever can be securely mounted, but germs can adhere to the complex surfaces and be transmitted to the next patient
Solution Approach 1:
The Albarran lever is segmented into a disposable lever component and a reusable endoscope head component. The lever can be easily detached and replaced, allowing the complex-shaped lever to be discarded after single use, eliminating germ transmission risk while maintaining secure mounting during use through the shaft insertion hole and movement gap design
Solution Approach 2:
The Albarran lever is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The simple shaft section without undercuts reduces manufacturing complexity while enabling single-use disposal, eliminating the need for complex sterilization of complex-shaped parts
2Reliability
If the Albarran lever has a complex shape with undercuts to fit the endoscope head, then the lever can be securely attached, but the lever becomes difficult to clean and sterilize
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is segmented into a disposable component that can be discarded after single use, separating the cleaning/sterilization requirement from the attachment function. The simple shaft section design enables easy manufacturing while the disposable nature eliminates cleaning complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is designed as a disposable component with simple geometry (shaft section without undercuts) that is easy to manufacture and discard. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization processes while maintaining secure attachment during use
3Reliability
If the shaft section projects long into the Albarran lever assembly space, then the lever can be securely positioned, but the lever becomes difficult to insert and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft section has locally optimized geometry with a limited projection length (X between 0.5-2mm) and specific width (a) that creates a movement gap. This local quality adjustment enables both secure positioning (through precise gap control) and easy insertion/removal (through manageable projection length)
4Reliability
If the Albarran lever width closely matches the assembly space width, then the lever is securely guided, but the lever rubs against the flank sections during pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The width (a) of the Albarran lever is locally optimized to be slightly less than the assembly space width, creating a specific movement gap. This local dimension adjustment provides both guidance (through the constrained space) and reduces friction (through the gap that prevents contact during pivoting)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an endoscope comprising an endoscope head (1) having a working channel (11) for guiding micro-tools, and comprising an Albarran lever (2) which can be used on the endoscope head (1) and can be released from same, said Albarran lever having a tool guide surface (20), on which a tool that can be led through the working channel can come into contact in order to be deflected in the lateral direction of the endoscope head. An Albarran lever arrangement space (A) is bounded by two flank sections (12, 13), extending in the distal direction (12, 13), of the endoscope head (1). In one (13) of the flank sections (12, 13), an Albarran lever pivot shaft (15) is mounted, from which a shaft section (151) projects to the Albarran lever arrangement space (A) with a length (X). The Albarran lever (2) has a shaft insertion hole (21) for inserting the shaft section (151) and has a width (a) in a direction that is parallel to the shaft insertion hole (21), said width being only a measurement of the movement gap less than the width of the Albarran lever arrangement space (A) in a direction that is parallel to the shaft section (151). The movement gap is a gap that prevents the Albarran lever (2) from rubbing against the flank sections (12, 13) during pivoting in the Albarran lever arrangement space (A).