Endoscope Cleaning Device Seating Adjustor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope cleaning devices are incompatible with endoscopes of varying lengths, leading to ineffective cleaning due to improper alignment between the imaging element and the cleaning member, as the distance between them is either too great or too small, restricting the use of endoscopes with specific dimensional differences.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a seating adjustor mechanism that allows for adjustable positioning of the endoscope on the cleaning device, enabling the cleaning member to be optimally aligned with the imaging element, accommodating endoscopes of different models, brands, and sizes by adjusting the seated position to ensure effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional endoscope cleaning device is used with endoscopes of varying lengths, then the device structure remains simple, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to improper alignment between the imaging element and cleaning member
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device incorporates an adjustable positioning mechanism that allows the cleaning member to be dynamically repositioned along the longitudinal axis. This enables the device to adapt to different endoscope lengths and imaging element positions, ensuring proper alignment and effective cleaning while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of the cleaning member's position parameter along the longitudinal axis to match different endoscope configurations. By changing this positional parameter, the device achieves proper alignment with various imaging elements without requiring complete redesign for each endoscope model.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning member position is fixed, then the device structure remains simple, but the adaptability to different endoscope models deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism transforms the fixed cleaning member into a movable one that can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to accommodate different endoscope models and imaging element positions while the mechanism itself remains relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable positioning mechanism enables a single cleaning device to serve multiple endoscope models and configurations. By allowing position adjustment, the device achieves universal compatibility across different endoscope types without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the imaging element and cleaning member is too great, then the device can accommodate longer endoscopes, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable positioning mechanism allows the cleaning member to be moved closer to or farther from the imaging element as needed. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the distance is optimized for effective cleaning while still accommodating different endoscope lengths through the same mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning devices disclosed herein provide, for example, an effective and reliable approach for cleaning an exposed surface of an imaging element (e.g., a lens) of an imaging device (e.g., an endoscope). Cleaning devices disclosed herein enable an imaging element to be cleaned while located within a concealed operation site (e.g., an in-vivo surgical site). To enhance imaging device compatibility, cleaning devices disclosed herein have integral therewith a seating adjustor that allows a user to selectively adjust the position of an imaging device seated thereon. Cleaning devices disclosed herein are thus able to accommodate imaging devices that would otherwise be incompatible due to a distance between the imaging element of the imaging device and a position of a cleaning member of the cleaning device being either too big or too small.