Hard-Tube Endoscope Bending Mechanism for Expanded Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hard-tube endoscopes have limited observation ranges due to their straight insertion tubes, leading to incomplete patient inspections, potential misdiagnoses, and increased patient discomfort from repeated insertions.
Innovation Solution
A hard-tube endoscope with a bending portion at the insertion tube's end, controlled by a handle with an inner and outer ring sleeve mechanism, allowing the tube to bend between 0° to 80°, enabling a larger vision field and comprehensive internal inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a straight insertion tube is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the observation range is limited and inspection is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion tube is divided into multiple segments including a straight portion and a bending portion, allowing the tube to change its configuration from straight to bent based on operational needs. This segmentation enables the endoscope to access different areas while maintaining structural simplicity when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion tube incorporates a bending portion that can dynamically change its shape from straight to bent at controlled angles (0° to 80°) through the control portion, allowing the endoscope to adapt its observation range according to the inspection requirements without permanently altering its structure.
2Area of stationary object
If the insertion tube is bent to enlarge observation range, then comprehensive inspection is enabled, but the structure becomes complex and harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the bending portion, using the inner and outer ring sleeves with thread engagement to convert simple rotational and axial movements into precise bending control, thereby simplifying the operation despite the complex bending capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending portion is designed to be dynamically controllable within a specific angle range (0° to 80°), allowing smooth transitions between straight and bent configurations without sudden jumps or difficult-to-control movements, making the complex structure easy to operate.
3Area of stationary object
If repeated insertions are performed to achieve comprehensive inspection, then observation coverage is improved, but patient discomfort and harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the insertion tube into straight and bending portions, the endoscope can achieve comprehensive inspection coverage in a single insertion by adjusting the bending angle, eliminating the need for repeated punctures and reducing patient discomfort and potential harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamically adjustable bending portion allows the endoscope to adapt its shape during a single insertion to access different areas of the inspection target, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring multiple insertions that would increase patient discomfort and risk.
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 endoscope provides a wider vision field, allowing for more comprehensive patient inspections and reducing patient discomfort by enabling flexible insertion and improved diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The outer ring sleeve is engaged with the inner ring sleeve by means of threads. The outer ring sleeve can rotate only around the axis of the handle with respect to the handle, and the inner ring can only axially move with respect to the axis of the handle.
Implementation Method 2
The insertion tube comprises an elastic inner tube and an elastic outer tube sheathed by each other
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A hard-tube endoscope, comprising an insertion tube (1), a camera (5), a light source (6) and a handle (2). The camera (5) and the light source (6) are disposed on an end face of an insertion end of the insertion tube (1), and a non-insertion end of the insertion tube (1) is connected to the handle (2). The insertion tube (1) further comprises a bending portion (13), the bending portion (13) being located at a part, locatable inside a human body, on the insertion tube (1). A control portion (3) configured to control the bending portion (13) to be bent is disposed on the handle (2). The control portion (3) comprises an inner ring sleeve (32) and an outer ring sleeve (31). The outer ring sleeve (31) is engaged with the inner ring sleeve (32) by means of threads. The outer ring sleeve (31) can rotate only around the axis of the handle (2) with respect to the handle (2), and the inner ring sleeve (32) can axially move only along the axis of the insertion tube (1) with respect to the handle (2). The insertion tube (1) comprises an elastic inner tube (12) and outer tube (11) sheathed by each other. A non-insertion end of the inner tube (12) in the handle (2) is fixedly connected to the inner ring sleeve (32), and a non-insertion end of the outer tube (11) is fixedly connected to the handle (2). The hard-tube endoscope is simple in structure and convenient to use, and can perform internal inspection on the body of a patient on the largest scale, thereby avoiding harms made on the patient caused by repeated puncture.