Endoscope Bending Mechanism with Cam-Actuated Sheath Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope designs face challenges in efficiently bending and maneuvering within curved body cavities due to limitations in the flexibility and control of bending portions, which can result in reduced accessibility and visibility during medical and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus incorporates a bending portion with a moving member fixing mechanism that includes a crank member, link members, and cam members to control the inner guide sheaths, allowing for precise bending control by switching the fixation of the sheaths' proximal ends, enabling the bending portion to be bent in different directions and maintaining the bent shape without external assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the bending portion is made shorter to enhance passability and reduce hitting of curved portions, then the ability to make small turns is improved, but the control precision and stability of the bending action are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the guide sheath movable rather than fixed. The guide sheath can move in the insertion direction to accommodate compression forces when the bending portion is short, while still providing lateral guidance to maintain control precision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between short length for better passability and sufficient control precision.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the guide sheath is made fixed to resist compressive force, then the stability of the bending portion is improved, but the flexibility and ability to make small turns are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sheath is designed to be movable in the insertion direction while maintaining lateral guidance. This allows the sheath to dynamically adjust its position to resist compressive forces when needed, while still permitting the bending portion to make small turns and adjustments. The dynamic design resolves the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
3Productivity
If the number of bending pieces is decreased to shorten the bending portion, then the passability through curved portions is improved, but the control precision and bending accuracy are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The movable guide sheath compensates for the reduced number of bending pieces by providing dynamic guidance and support. As the bending portion makes turns with fewer segments, the guide sheath adjusts its position to maintain control precision and bending accuracy, resolving the contradiction between passability and bending accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If the distal end portion is made to pass through curved portions easily, then the accessibility to examination sites is improved, but the stability of the inserted configuration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The movable guide sheath allows the distal end portion to navigate curved portions easily by providing dynamic support that adjusts to the bending requirements. Once positioned, the sheath maintains the configuration's stability through its guidance function, resolving the contradiction between ease of navigation and stability of the final configuration.
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
This solution enhances the flexibility and control of the endoscope's bending portion, improving accessibility and visibility in curved spaces, allowing for easier navigation and treatment in complex anatomical regions.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member that is rotatable to a second rotation position where the cam member simultaneously presses exposed sites of a plurality of the moving members that penetrate through the inside of the guide member to the wall surface of the guide member
Implementation Method 2
a crank member that has a proximal end side connected to the operation member, and has, at a distal end side, a reciprocating portion that is movable forward and rearward in the direction in which the insertion portion is inserted, with an operation of the operation member
Implementation Method 3
a pair of link members that are openable and closable with a pin provided at the reciprocating portion of the crank member as a center, with movement of the crank member
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion portion, a bending portion, an inner guide sheath, an operation portion, a fixing lever, a guide member, a crank member, a pair of link members, and cam members that are rotatable to a second rotation position where the cam members simultaneously press exposed sites of moving members to wall surfaces in a vertical direction, and a first rotation position where the cam members are separated from the exposed sites, by either one of opening and closing of the respective link members are included.