Endoscope Bending Section With Alternating Segments for Torsional Stiffness

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes with separate annular or tubular bending segments face issues such as insufficient torsional stiffness, difficulty in maintaining design freedom, and challenges in achieving a small outer diameter with a large working channel, particularly unsuitable for single-use applications.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope features a bending section composed of alternating first and second intermediate segments with hinges formed by protrusions and recesses, steering wires running on inner and outer grooves, and stabilizing protrusions in axially extending grooves, allowing for a lightweight, low-cost, single-use design with improved torsional stiffness and space for a larger working channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate annular or tubular bending segments are used, then the endoscope can be manufactured with simpler materials and processes, but the torsional stiffness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtorsional stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bending section is divided into multiple separate annular or tubular segments that are coupled together through hinges. Each segment can be manufactured independently using simple polymer materials, yet the assembly achieves sufficient torsional stiffness through the cumulative effect of multiple segments and hinge connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bending section combines multiple polymer segments with hinge mechanisms to create a composite structure. The alternating first and second intermediate segments with integrated hinges form a composite assembly that achieves torsional stiffness comparable to or exceeding traditional single-piece metal bending sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If separate annular or tubular bending segments are used, then production costs are reduced, but the segments are difficult to keep together with sufficient stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidsegment assembly stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bending section is divided into multiple separate annular or tubular segments that are coupled together through hinges. Each segment can be manufactured independently using simple polymer materials, yet the assembly achieves sufficient torsional stiffness through the cumulative effect of multiple segments and hinge connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple separate segments are merged into a unified bending section through hinge connections. The alternating first and second intermediate segments with integrated hinges form a cohesive assembly that maintains stability while allowing controlled bending motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If traditional bending section designs are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the outer diameter cannot be reduced while keeping the working channel size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidouter diameter to working channel ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bending section is divided into multiple separate annular or tubular segments that are coupled together through hinges. Each segment can be manufactured independently using simple polymer materials, yet the assembly achieves sufficient torsional stiffness through the cumulative effect of multiple segments and hinge connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connections are arranged in alternating patterns around the circumference of the tubular segments, utilizing the radial dimension to distribute structural support. This alternating arrangement of hinges allows the bending section to maintain structural integrity while reducing the overall outer diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12582299B2Endoscope comprising a bending section having individual segments

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 AMBU AS

AI summary

An endoscope including a handle and an insertion cord with a bending section having intermediate segments, the intermediate segments including first intermediate segments and second intermediate segments being arranged alternately one after the other in a proximal-distal direction. Hinges between the first intermediate segments and the second intermediate segments are formed by hinge protrusions engaging in hinge recesses. Steering wires run on the inner circumferential side of the first intermediate segments and on the outer circumferential side in axially extending grooves of the second intermediate segments and keep the alternately arranged first intermediate segments and second intermediate segments together. The first intermediate segments comprise stabilizing protrusions arranged and accommodated in the axially extending grooves in the second intermediate segments, in which the steering wires run.