Endoscope Bending Section Segmented Anchor Steering Wire Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes with narrow bending sections face manufacturing challenges and risk of steering wire displacement during procedures, especially in small diameter insertion cords.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring a bending section with an inner lumen and grooves for steering wires, where anchors are placed to prevent displacement of the steering wires from the grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bending section is molded in one piece from polymer material, then manufacturing is simplified, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in creating closed lumens for steering wires
Solution Approach 1:
The bending section is divided into multiple segments connected by hinges, allowing each segment to be molded separately with proper lumens, then assembled together. This segmentation enables precise formation of closed steering wire lumens in each segment while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.
2Length of moving object
If the bending section has a small outer diameter, then the endoscope can access narrower anatomical structures, but manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bending section is segmented into multiple sections connected by hinges, allowing each segment to be manufactured with precise small dimensions while maintaining flexibility. This segmentation enables the overall structure to achieve a small outer diameter without excessive manufacturing difficulty in individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wire lumens are nested within the bending section segments, with the lumens formed as integral parts of each segment. This nesting allows the small outer diameter to be maintained while providing proper channels for steering wires without requiring additional external structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bending section has only one inner lumen with grooves for steering wires, then manufacturing is easier, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of steering wire displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The bending section is divided into segments, each with its own groove for the steering wire. This segmentation provides multiple independent channels that prevent the steering wire from displacing between segments, while each segment can still be manufactured with relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A groove structure is introduced as an intermediary element within each segment to guide and constrain the steering wire. This groove acts as a mediator between the steering wire and the segment structure, preventing displacement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An endoscope (1) having a bending section (20) comprising segments (22) connected to each other by hinges (24). The bending section has a central passage (12) passing each segment (22) and extends from a distal end to a proximal end, where an inner surface is facing and encircling the central passage (12). At least two grooves (18) into the inner surface extend in parallel with the central passage (12) and in open connection with the central passage. Two steering wires (25) passes in a respective one of the grooves through the bending section. An anchor (15, 15', 15") is provided with a holding part (17, 17') such that displacement of the steering wires (25) from the grooves (18) towards a center of the central passage (12) is blocked.