Endoscope Distal Channel Layout to Prevent Instrument Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face the risk of bacteria adhering to treatment instruments due to body fluids entering the treatment instrument channel during procedures, which can lead to contamination and potential health hazards.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design includes separate treatment instrument and suction channels with distinct openings, ensuring that body fluids are directed into the suction channel rather than the treatment instrument channel, reducing the risk of bacterial adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the treatment instrument channel is used as a conduit for suction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to bacterial adhesion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single treatment instrument channel into two separate channels: a treatment instrument channel and a suction channel. This segmentation allows each channel to have a dedicated function, preventing body fluids from entering the treatment instrument channel while maintaining separate pathways for instrument insertion and fluid suction, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and reliability.
2Productivity
If body fluids are directed into the treatment instrument channel, then the suction function is effective, but the harmful factors increase due to bacterial adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the suction channel from the treatment instrument channel, the patent enables effective suction of body fluids through the dedicated suction channel while preventing these fluids from contacting the treatment instrument channel, thus maintaining both suction efficiency and preventing bacterial contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction channel acts as an intermediary pathway that handles body fluid removal separately from the treatment instrument channel. This intermediary structure allows the treatment instrument to remain isolated from harmful fluids while the suction channel performs its cleaning function independently.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope including an insertion portion including a distal end structure and an active bending section, an image sensor located in the distal end structure, and the image sensor has an optical axis in a first direction, and the first direction intersects a central longitudinal axis of the distal end structure, a treatment instrument channel located in the distal end structure and adjacent the image sensor, and a distal end opening of the treatment instrument channel opens in a second direction, and the second direction intersects the central longitudinal axis, and a suction channel located in the distal end structure, wherein a distal end opening of the suction channel opens in a third direction, and the third direction is different from the second direction.