Endoscope Applicator Lubricant Distribution and Pull-Out Force Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope applicators face challenges in distributing lubricant uniformly over the inner surface, leading to poor slidability and maneuverability during endoscopic procedures, and lack a means to quantify pull-out resistance, which can result in intestinal wall damage.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope applicator features a lubricant supply path with increasing opening areas from the base to the tip, and an engaging member that prevents slippage, along with a pull-out force measuring device to quantify resistance, allowing for uniform lubricant distribution and improved maneuverability without increasing the applicator's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the diameter of the overtube is enlarged to distribute lubricant over the entire inner surface, then lubricant distribution is improved, but the overtube becomes unsuitable for insertion into the body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The overtube is segmented into multiple sections with different diameters: a proximal section with a first diameter and a distal section with a second diameter smaller than the first. This segmentation allows the proximal section to receive and distribute lubricant effectively while the distal section maintains a small diameter suitable for body cavity insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the overtube have different diameters tailored to their specific functions. The proximal section has a larger diameter optimized for lubricant reception and distribution, while the distal section has a smaller diameter optimized for insertion and manipulation within the body cavity.
2Length of moving object
If the overtube diameter is minimized for body cavity insertion, then insertability is improved, but lubricant distribution over the entire inner surface becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The overtube is divided into proximal and distal sections with different diameters, allowing the proximal section to handle lubricant distribution while the distal section maintains minimal diameter for insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal section has a larger diameter specifically designed for lubricant reception and distribution, while the distal section has a smaller diameter for insertion, with each section optimized for its local function.
3Speed
If the insert portion is pushed forcibly to overcome adhesion to intestinal walls, then insertion speed is improved, but intestinal wall damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Lubricant is applied to the overtube inner surface before insertion to reduce adhesion between the overtube and intestinal walls, enabling faster insertion without causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Lubricant acts as an intermediary substance between the overtube and intestinal walls, reducing direct contact and adhesion, thereby enabling forceful insertion without causing intestinal wall damage.
4Ease of operation
If the applicator is made of elastic member and squeezed to engage with insert portion, then maneuverability is improved, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator utilizes elastic deformation of the elastic member to dynamically engage with the insert portion during manipulation, providing maneuverability through a simple elastic mechanism rather than complex structural components.
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 design enhances lubricity and slidability, reduces procedure time, and prevents intestinal wall damage by ensuring uniform lubricant distribution and precise control of pull-out forces.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricant supply path is formed in the endoscope applicator to allow the lubricant supplied to the lubricant inlet to be supplied to a clearance between an inner surface of the endoscope applicator and an outer surface of the endoscope insert portion
Implementation Method 2
the physician grips the applicator made of an elastic member, thereby bringing it into intimate contact with the insert portion by elastic deformation, and pulls in the applicator, thereby pulling in the insert portion at the same time by means of frictional resistance between the applicator and insert portion
Implementation Method 3
the physician grips the applicator made of an elastic member, thereby bringing it into intimate contact with the insert portion by elastic deformation
Implementation Method 4
at least one of the insert portion and the applicator is equipped with a pull-out force measuring device which measures pull-out force of the insert portion or applicator
Data Source
AI summary
The endoscope applicator according to the present invention allows lubricant to be supplied uniformly to the entire inner surface of the endoscope applicator without increasing the diameter of the endoscope applicator because the lubricant supply path is laid on the outer surface of the endoscope applicator extending from the base end portion to the tip portion of the endoscope applicator and a plurality of openings are formed in the lubricant supply path and endoscope applicator at predetermined intervals in such a way that their opening areas of the opening increase from the base end portion to the tip portion. Moreover, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention can improve the maneuverability of the insert portion and applicator during pull-in operation. Furthermore, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention makes it possible to determine pull-out force quantitatively.