Endoscope Channel Curvature Control via Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope devices face challenges in precisely navigating and maintaining a stable view of a treatment target within body cavities due to limitations in bending mechanism control and channel curvature, which can lead to difficulties in inserting medical instruments and maintaining a clear field of view.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope device incorporates a flexible insertion portion with multi-stage bending portions and a control system that uses position detection and bending detection mechanisms to adjust the curvature of the channel, allowing for precise control of the bending angles and operation wires to ensure the medical instrument can be inserted and the treatment target remains within the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the insertion portion is made flexible to navigate body cavities, then the ability to reach treatment targets is improved, but the precision of positioning and maintaining stable view is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the control unit continuously receives information about the insertion portion's position and bending state, then automatically adjusts the bending portions to maintain the treatment target within the field of view. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for the flexibility-induced positioning instability while preserving navigational adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the bending portions through automated control mechanisms that respond to real-time positional changes. The system dynamically modifies the curvature and orientation of the insertion portion to maintain stable positioning of the treatment target, transforming the static flexibility problem into a dynamically controllable system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-stage bending portions are added to improve navigation, then the ability to reach difficult targets is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bending mechanism into multiple independent bending portions (first, second, and third bending portions) that can be controlled separately. Each bending portion operates independently to adjust different segments of the insertion portion, enabling complex navigation paths while maintaining manageable control through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions by managing the coordination of multiple bending portions simultaneously. It integrates position detection, curvature calculation, and actuation control for different bending sections, creating a universal control system that handles complex navigation tasks without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If automated control is implemented to maintain field of view, then the operational efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit operates autonomously to maintain the treatment target within the field of view without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-adjusts the bending portions based on detected positional deviations, enabling automated stabilization that improves operational efficiency while the control unit integrates these functions to manage complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope device includes a flexible insertion portion; a flexible tube portion; a first bending portion; a second bending portion; an observation portion; a first drive portion bending the first bending portion; a second drive portion bending the second bending portion; a position detection portion detecting a position of a rigid distal end portion of a medical instrument; first and second bending detection portions detecting radii of curvature of axes of channels formed in the first and second bending portions and directions in which the channels are bent when an input signal generated by the position detection portion is received, respectively; and a control portion configured to control generating a second drive signal driving the second drive portion based on a first drive signal driving the first drive portion, and sending the second drive signal to the second drive portion while sending the first drive signal.