Endoscope Balloon Sleeve Contraction for Reduced Insertion Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope apparatuses face challenges in reducing the diameter of the mounting portion when a balloon is mounted, leading to difficulties in passing through stenosis sites and overtubes, and require additional force and time for balloon expansion.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope apparatus with a balloon having uniform thickness and hardness, featuring a first sleeve part and a second sleeve part that contract to grip the insertion part, reducing the outer diameter by optimizing the inner diameter and axial length of the sleeves to achieve a contraction force that securely mounts the balloon without additional fixing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retaining ring or cylindrical body is added to mount the balloon, then the balloon can be securely fixed to the insertion part, but the diameter of the insertion part becomes larger, making it difficult to pass through stenosis sites and overtubes
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is designed with a thin-walled cylindrical structure that can be compressed to a small diameter for insertion, then inflated to expand and contract to secure fixation. The thin wall allows the balloon to be compressed without requiring additional retaining rings or cylindrical bodies, thus maintaining a small insertion part diameter while achieving reliable fixation through the balloon's own elastic contraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon transitions from a static mounted structure to a dynamic one that can be inflated and deflated. By controlling the inflation and deflation of the balloon, the system can adapt its diameter - small when deflated for insertion through stenosis sites, and large when inflated for secure fixation. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for fixed-diameter retaining rings.
2Ease of operation
If the balloon is made with non-uniform hardness or thickness to facilitate mounting, then the mounting process becomes easier, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the balloon structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon utilizes changes in physical parameters - specifically, the elastic properties of the material and the volume-pressure relationship - to achieve easy mounting. By controlling the inflation pressure and volume, the balloon naturally expands and contracts to secure fixation without requiring non-uniform hardness or thickness. This parameter-based approach maintains uniform structure while simplifying mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon performs its own mounting function through its elastic properties. When inflated, the balloon automatically expands to cover the insertion part and contracts to secure fixation, eliminating the need for complex mounting mechanisms or non-uniform structures. The system is self-sufficient, using the balloon's inherent elastic characteristics to achieve both easy mounting and secure fixation.
3Reliability
If additional force is applied to expand the balloon body, then the balloon can be mounted more securely, but the expansion time increases, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon utilizes a phase transition-like behavior in its elastic material, where rapid inflation causes the material to quickly transition from a compressed state to an expanded state. This rapid phase change allows the balloon to expand and secure fixation in a short time without requiring continuous additional force, thus improving productivity while maintaining mounting security.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting process utilizes periodic inflation and deflation cycles. The balloon is rapidly inflated to expand and cover the insertion part, then rapidly deflated to contract and secure fixation. This periodic action with rapid transitions achieves secure mounting without prolonged expansion time, improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
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 allows for a reduced diameter of the distal end of the endoscope, enabling easier passage through stenosis sites and overtubes, and facilitates removal by contracting the balloon to securely grip the insertion part, enhancing the endoscope's maneuverability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the first sleeve part and the second sleeve part are formed in an approximately cylindrical shape narrowed with respect to the balloon main body... the first sleeve part and the second sleeve part contract to grip the insertion part
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an endoscope apparatus capable of reducing a diameter of a mounting portion in a case where a balloon is mounted on an insertion part of an endoscope, and the balloon. An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope having an insertion part, and a balloon mounted on the insertion part. The balloon includes a first sleeve part, a second sleeve part, and a balloon main body. The balloon has an inner diameter of the first sleeve part, which is 1/10 or more and ½ or less of an outer diameter of the insertion part, in a pre-mounting state before the balloon is mounted to the insertion part. An inner diameter of the second sleeve part may be set to 1/10 or more and ½ or less of the outer diameter of the insertion part. Further, the inner diameter of the second sleeve part may be larger than ½ of the outer diameter of the insertion part and smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion part, and an axial length of the second sleeve part of the balloon may be set to be longer than that of the first sleeve part.