Ultrasound Endoscope Balloon Attachment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic endoscopes face challenges with balloon materials, as natural rubber can cause latex allergies and synthetic elastomers have poor mechanical physical properties, leading to breakage when attached and filled with water.
Innovation Solution
The use of a balloon formed from a synthetic elastomer with specific dimensions for the bead portion and attachment groove, such as a styrene-based or olefin-based elastomer, to ensure a secure and durable attachment to the endoscope insertion section, reducing the risk of breakage and allergy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If natural rubber is used as balloon material, then mechanical physical properties are good, but latex allergy risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from natural rubber to synthetic elastomer (specifically styrene-based or olefin-based elastomer with molecular weight 100,000-500,000), thereby eliminating latex allergy risk while maintaining mechanical properties through controlled molecular weight and composition parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure by combining synthetic elastomer with specific additives and using multi-layer construction (balloon body layer and bead portion layer) to achieve both allergy-free material composition and adequate mechanical strength
2Object-affected harmful factors
If synthetic elastomer is used as balloon material, then latex allergy risk is reduced, but mechanical physical properties deteriorate causing easy breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of synthetic elastomer including molecular weight (100,000-500,000), glass transition temperature (-70°C to -30°C), and composition ratios to achieve adequate mechanical strength while maintaining allergy-free properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-layer composite structure where the balloon body is made of synthetic elastomer and the bead portion uses a different synthetic elastomer composition, creating a composite material system that distributes mechanical stresses and prevents breakage
3Reliability
If balloon is firmly fixed to endoscope insertion section, then attachment reliability is improved, but balloon may break during attachment or water filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes dimensional parameters including bead portion outer diameter (1.2-2.0 times groove width) and balloon opening inner diameter (0.30-0.55 times groove outer diameter) to achieve firm attachment without excessive stress that would cause breakage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties and structural characteristics to different parts of the balloon - the bead portion uses reinforced structure and different elastomer composition compared to the balloon body, creating local quality variations that enable secure attachment while preserving overall balloon integrity
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
The solution provides a balloon that is securely fixed to the endoscope, resistant to breakage when filled with water, and minimizes the risk of allergic reactions, enabling stable and efficient ultrasonic diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
a balloon having elasticity is detachably attached so as to cover the ultrasonic transmission-reception section
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic transmission-reception section generates ultrasonic waves and receives echoes produced when the ultrasonic waves are applied to a subject
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This ultrasound endoscope balloon is formed from a synthetic elastomer and is used when the relationship between the width W of a bead portion of the balloon and the width X of a bead portion mounting groove provided on an ultrasound endoscope insertion portion for the purpose of securing the balloon is 1.1 ≤ W/X ≤ 2.5, and the relationship between the inner diameter Y of a hole surrounded by the bead portion of the balloon and the outer diameter Z of a portion surrounded by the uppermost portion of a wall surface from the bead portion mounting groove in the ultrasound endoscope insertion is 0.30 ≤ Y/Z ≤ 0.55. Also provided are an ultrasound endoscope using this ultrasound endoscope balloon, and a production method therefor.