Endoscope Insertion Device Assist Tool Verification Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope devices face challenges in ensuring proper attachment and actuation of assist tools, leading to potential malfunctions or detachment during procedures, due to the lack of effective mechanisms to verify the correct positioning of these tools relative to the insertion section.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a moving member that moves between a projecting and retracted position, which is pressed into a specific position by the assist tool when correctly attached, allowing for verification of proper attachment and preventing actuation in incorrect positions, along with a sensing circuit to control motor operation based on attachment status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an assist tool is detachably attached to the insertion section without a verification mechanism, then the device structure remains simple and easy to assemble, but the reliability of proper attachment and prevention of malfunction during procedures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment verificationVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The moving member is positioned in advance to protrude from the insertion section before the assist tool is attached. When the assist tool is correctly attached, the moving member is pressed into the insertion section, providing preliminary verification of proper attachment before actuation occurs. This prevents malfunction by ensuring correct positioning prior to operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own structural components (the moving member and the assist tool's pressing feature) to automatically verify attachment correctness. The assist tool itself presses the moving member during attachment, and the moving member's position change serves as the verification signal, eliminating the need for external verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a moving member is added to verify assist tool positioning, then the reliability of proper attachment improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition verificationVSAvoiddevice assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The moving member serves multiple functions: it acts as a verification indicator of proper assist tool attachment, and simultaneously serves as a component that is pressed during normal operation to enable actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate verification components, simplifying manufacture despite the added reliability feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The moving member is nested within the insertion section, protruding only when needed for verification. When the assist tool is attached, the moving member is pressed back into the insertion section, maintaining a compact structure. This nesting approach minimizes the space required and simplifies the overall device assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the moving member is always in a retracted position, then the device structure remains compact, but the ability to detect and measure attachment status deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment statusVSAvoidinsertion section

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The moving member transitions between two dynamic states: protruding when the assist tool is not attached (or improperly attached) and retracted when properly attached. This dynamic position change provides clear detection of attachment status. The member is pressed into the insertion section during actuation, maintaining compactness when needed while enabling detection when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10182706B2Insertion device treatment system

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An insertion device includes an insertion section extended along a longitudinal axis, and an assist tool detachably attached to the insertion section. The assist tool is actuated with being attached to the insertion section, thereby causing a propulsion force for movement along the longitudinal axis to act on the insertion section. A moving member movable between a first position and a second position is provided in one of the insertion section and the assist tool. The moving member is held at the second position due to a pressure from the other of the insertion section and the assist tool, in a state that the assist tool is located at the specific position relative to the insertion section.