Endoscope Cleaning Cap Segmented Retaining Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools for endoscopes, particularly side-view type endoscopes, face challenges in effectively and securely attaching and detaching cleaning caps from the distal end component portions, which are covered by a tubular cover, leading to difficulties in ensuring reliable cleaning and disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool comprising a cleaning cap with a cap-side engaging portion that attaches and detaches from the distal end component portion, utilizing a tubular cover that is removed to expose the component, ensuring secure engagement with the distal end component portion's engaging portion to prevent falling and facilitate cleaning liquid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cleaning cap is attached to the distal end component portion covered by a tubular cover, then cleaning access is improved, but the risk of the cleaning cap falling off increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning cap is divided into a cap body and a separate retaining member. The retaining member includes engaging protrusions that fit into engaging grooves on the distal end component portion, while the cap body contains the cleaning ejection ports. This segmentation allows the cleaning cap to be securely attached while maintaining easy attachment and detachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member is designed to be attached to the distal end component portion before the cap body is placed over it. This preliminary action ensures that the engaging protrusions are already positioned to receive the engaging grooves, preventing the cleaning cap from falling off during the cleaning process while maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If the cleaning cap is designed to be easily detachable, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the cleaning cap may fall off during use
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning cap employs a dynamic attachment system where the retaining member can be easily detached by pulling it away from the distal end component portion, while the cap body remains securely attached through the engaging protrusions and grooves. This allows quick attachment and detachment for efficient cleaning operations while preventing accidental detachment during use.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning cap structure is simplified, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but attachment security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning cap is designed as a disposable component with a simple structure consisting of a cap body and a retaining member made from inexpensive materials. The engaging protrusions and grooves provide sufficient attachment security for single-use cleaning operations, and the entire assembly can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex reusable attachment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning tool for insertion instrument includes: a cleaning cap configured to be attachable to and detachable from a distal end component portion provided on a distal end side of an insertion portion in an endoscope and covered by a tubular cover when the endoscope is used, attachment and detachment of the cleaning cap to and from the distal end component portion being performed in a state where the cover is removed from the distal end component portion; and a cap-side engaging portion provided on the cleaning cap and configured to be engaged with a distal end component portion-side engaging portion provided on an outer peripheral surface, at least a part of which is covered by the cover, of the distal end component portion.