Endoscope Bendable Auxiliary Device for Distal-End Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face limitations in flexibly changing the orientation of their distal ends, particularly in navigating complex anatomical structures.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary device for endoscopes featuring a bendable body and support member that enhances the range of motion of the distal end by allowing flexible bending and positioning, including a cylindrical bendable body with nodal portions and a support member to stabilize the bendable body along the endoscope's insertion part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional endoscope is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the orientation of the distal end cannot be flexibly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary device is divided into distinct functional segments: a bendable body with multiple nodal portions for orientation control, a support member for stabilization, and an operating device for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling flexible distal end orientation while maintaining a manageable overall structure that can be attached to conventional endoscopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the distal end of the endoscope. The operating device transmits forces through the bendable body to the distal end, providing a mechanical mediation system that enables precise orientation control without requiring modification of the endoscope itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distal end orientation is made flexible, then access to hard-to-reach areas is improved, but the stability of the bendable body becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The bendable body incorporates multiple nodal portions that can dynamically change their configuration from straight to bent states. These nodal portions allow the device to adapt its shape as needed while maintaining structural integrity through controlled articulation points, enabling both flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bendable body utilizes a flexible cylindrical structure with integrated nodal portions that can bend at specific locations. This flexible shell design allows the device to achieve various orientations while maintaining enough structural rigidity to transmit forces effectively and remain stable during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bendable body with nodal portions is introduced, then the range of motion is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member and bendable body are integrated into a unified auxiliary device that attaches to the endoscope. This merging of components reduces the overall number of separate parts while maintaining the bending capability through the nodal portions, simplifying the system architecture compared to having separate stabilization and bending mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary device is designed as a universal attachment that can be applied to conventional endoscopes without modification. The bendable body with nodal portions serves multiple functions: providing range of motion, maintaining stability through the support member, and enabling precise positioning, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary device includes: a cylindrical bendable body that is configured to cover and bend an end part on a bendable part side of a flexible part between a bendable part and an operating part of the endoscope in the insertion part of an endoscope and that is attachable to and detachable from the end part; an operating member that is connected to the bendable body and that is capable of bending the bendable body; and an operating device that is connected to the operating member. The operating member is exposed between the bendable body and the operating device, and both ends of the bendable body in an axial direction are located closer to the flexible part than the bendable part, and at least one of both ends of the bendable body is supported at the end part of the flexible part.