Endoscope Arm Manipulation Unit Ergonomic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical observation systems face difficulties in manipulability due to awkward switch configurations, leading to unnatural postures and obstructed visual fields, especially when trying to tilt the endoscope or lens unit, which increases the size and weight of the imaging unit and movement mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The medical observation apparatus features an arm manipulation unit positioned on the side surface of a cylindrical unit, allowing users to control the imaging unit's movement with their index or middle finger, eliminating the need for additional grip units and enabling a smaller, more ergonomic design that maintains the user's visual field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the switch is provided on the endoscope or lens unit for releasing electromagnetic brakes, then the device can be controlled, but the manipulability deteriorates due to awkward switch configurations and unnatural postures required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is repositioned from the traditional location on the endoscope/lens unit to the operation lever, which is a different spatial dimension in the user's hand. This allows the thumb to operate the switch naturally while grasping the lever, eliminating awkward wrist bending and improving manipulability without adding complexity
2Ease of operation
If a separate manipulation grip is provided to improve manipulability, then ease of operation improves, but the lens unit size and mass increase, obstructing the visual field and requiring larger movement mechanism space
Solution Approach 1:
The switch and manipulation grip are merged into a single integrated operation lever. The switch is positioned on the lever itself rather than being a separate component, combining the gripping function and switching function into one compact unit. This eliminates the need for additional grip units, maintaining small lens unit size while improving manipulability
3Area of stationary object
If the lens unit size is reduced to maintain visual field, then the visual field is ensured, but the switch becomes harder to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is relocated to the operation lever in a different spatial arrangement, allowing efficient thumb operation even on compact lens units. This positional reconfiguration enables small lens units to maintain good manipulability without compromising visual field
Data Source
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AI summary
The objective is to provide a medical observation apparatus and a medical observation system that can ensure the user's visual field and have good manipulability. This is realised by a medical observation apparatus including a cylindrical unit; an imaging unit provided in a hollow portion of the cylindrical unit comprising an optical system configured to collect light from an object to be observed and form an image, and an imaging element configured to photoelectrically convert light collected by the optical system and output an imaging signal; a support unit including at least one set composed of two arm units and a joint unit linking one of the two arm units to the other in a rotationally movable manner and supporting, at its tip portion, the cylindrical unit and the imaging unit in a rotationally movable manner around an axis in a height direction of the cylindrical unit; and an arm manipulation unit provided on a side surface of the cylindrical unit corresponding to an upper side of an image based on the imaging signal and configured to accept a manipulation input that permits a rotational movement of the arm unit.