Endoscope Bending Control via Insertion Depth Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems for laparoscopic surgery face challenges in visibility and operability due to the need for surgeons and assistants to share a common line of sight, leading to interference and reduced effectiveness during procedures.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope system includes a bendable insert part with a bending mechanism that can be controlled based on the amount of insertion detected, allowing the imaging direction to be adjusted to avoid interference and improve visibility and operability by enabling the bending part to bend only when necessary within the abdominal space, preventing malfunctions or damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bending part is allowed to bend freely at any insertion position, then the imaging direction can be adjusted to improve visibility, but the bending part may malfunction or get damaged when inserted through the trocar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the bending part based on the insertion position. When the insert part is within the trocar (insertion position), the bending part is restricted from bending. When the insert part is outside the trocar (abdominal space), the bending part can bend freely. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by adapting the bending behavior to the specific operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the bending part's operability based on real-time detection of the insert part's position. The control unit dynamically switches between restricted and unrestricted bending modes according to whether the insert part is inside or outside the trocar, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to current conditions and prevent malfunction while maintaining visibility when needed.
2Reliability
If the bending part is restricted from bending during insertion, then malfunction is prevented, but the ability to adjust imaging direction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching of the bending part's operational state based on the insertion phase. During the insertion phase (when the insert part is within the trocar), bending is restricted. After insertion is complete (when the insert part is in the abdominal space), bending is enabled. This periodic control ensures reliability during the vulnerable insertion phase while maintaining adaptability during the operational phase.
3Ease of operation
If surgeons and assistants share a common line of sight, then coordination is improved, but interference occurs and operability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the line of sight conflict by enabling the endoscope to bend in multiple directions through the bending part. This allows the imaging unit to access and view areas that would otherwise be blocked by the shared line of sight constraint, effectively adding dimensional flexibility to the observation capability and eliminating the harmful interference while maintaining coordination benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an endoscope includes,inserting an insert part having an imaging unit at a distal end through the body;making an imaging direction of the imaging unit variable by bending of a bending part,wherein the bending part is included in the insert part;detecting an amount of insertion of the insert part through the body; anddetermining whether the bending part is to be bent or not on the basis of operation of a direction input part depending on the amount of insertion.