Endoscope Channel Geometry for Stable Instruments and Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges with large treatment instrument channels that compromise the stability and operability of treatment instruments due to their large inner diameter, leading to instability and sway during procedures, especially when suctioning is required.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a transformation unit that includes an elastic tube and a long member, such as a wire, which can change the shape of the channel by applying stress to an elastic tube or net tube, allowing the channel to adjust its cross-sectional area and maintain the position of the treatment instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the inner diameter of the treatment instrument channel is set large to improve suction efficiency, then suction performance is improved, but the stability and operability of the treatment instrument deteriorates due to instability and sway
Solution Approach 1:
The channel includes a transformable member that can change its shape dynamically. The transformation unit alters the cross-sectional area of the transformable member, allowing the channel to adapt its geometry. This enables the channel to maintain a large inner diameter for efficient suction while providing stability through controlled geometric transformation during instrument insertion and manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformation unit changes physical parameters of the transformable member, specifically its cross-sectional area and shape. By manipulating these geometric parameters, the system can optimize both suction efficiency (requiring large cross-sectional area) and instrument stability (requiring controlled shape), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner diameter of the treatment instrument channel is set larger than the largest treatment instrument to enable multiple instruments, then versatility is improved, but instrument stability and operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transformable member allows the channel to dynamically adjust its geometry. When a treatment instrument is inserted, the transformation unit can alter the cross-sectional area and shape of the transformable member to match the instrument's dimensions. This enables the channel to accommodate various instrument sizes while maintaining stability and preventing sway during manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the transformable member based on the specific treatment instrument being used. By adjusting cross-sectional area and shape parameters, the channel can be optimized for each instrument type, ensuring both versatility across multiple instrument types and stability during operation.
3Productivity
If a large inner diameter channel is used for efficient suctioning, then suction performance is improved, but the channel cannot maintain treatment instrument position stability
Solution Approach 1:
The transformable member provides dynamic geometric adjustment capability. The transformation unit can alter the cross-sectional area and shape of the transformable member to maintain treatment instrument position stability while preserving a large inner diameter for efficient suctioning. This dynamic adaptation allows the channel to optimize both suction performance and instrument positioning simultaneously.
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 transformation unit stabilizes the position of the treatment instrument and maintains high suction efficiency, ensuring effective and stable operation even during severe bleeding, while maintaining good operability.
Implementation Method 1
a transformable member on a distal end side of the channel, wherein a shape of the transformable member is changeable by operation of the operation section
Implementation Method 2
the transformation unit includes an operation member disposed in the operation section and a long member configured to transfer operation of the operation member to the transformable member
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion device comprises an insertion section, the insertion section including a distal portion, an operation section located on a proximal end side of the insertion section, a channel located in the insertion section and communicating with the distal portion, the channel including a transformable member on a distal end side of the channel, and a transformation unit, wherein a shape of the transformable member is changeable by operation of the operation section.