Endoscope Clip With Arcuate Channels for Safe Coiled Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes are difficult to handle and store safely due to their length, which can lead to damage and accessibility issues, especially in medical environments where they need to be kept clean and compact.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope clip with pivotally connected jaws and a spring biasing mechanism that securely holds the endoscope in a coiled configuration, featuring arcuate channels to fit the endoscope tube and a textured surface for enhanced grip, allowing for easy handling and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the endoscope is hung at a very high level to prevent it from touching the floor, then the endoscope is protected from damage, but it becomes inaccessible to all staff and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The clip acts as an intermediary device between the endoscope and the storage environment. It provides a secure attachment point on accessible equipment (like infusion pumps) rather than requiring high-level hanging, thus maintaining protection while improving accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The clip creates a functional copy of the high-level storage protection effect at an accessible level by attaching to nearby equipment, eliminating the need for actual high-level hanging while maintaining the protective function
2Ease of operation
If the endoscope is coiled for compact storage, then it becomes easier to handle and store, but it may be damaged if not held in the correct configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate channels with minimum radius of curvature of 200-250mm are designed to match the natural curvature of coiled endoscope tubing, allowing compact coiling while preventing damage from excessive bending
Solution Approach 2:
The clip provides localized support at specific points along the endoscope tube through its channels, ensuring the tube maintains its protective coating and structural integrity at critical bending points while allowing overall compact storage
3Reliability
If the clip holds the endoscope tightly to prevent damage, then protection is improved, but it may cause damage to the endoscope coating if not designed correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The clip design incorporates specific dimensional parameters (channel radius of 200-250mm, channel length of 5-10cm) that change the mechanical stress distribution to provide secure holding while staying below the threshold that would damage the endoscope's protective coating
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate channel geometry is designed in advance to cushion and distribute the clamping force evenly along the contact points, preventing concentrated stress that could damage the coating while maintaining secure holding
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 endoscope clip effectively secures the endoscope in a coiled configuration without causing damage, facilitating safe handling and storage while maintaining accessibility, ensuring the device remains clean and compact.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biasing the jaws into the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The surface of each channel may be textured to enhance its grip on an endoscope tube
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope clip including; first and second jaws pivotally connected together for movement between open and closed positions, and a spring biasing the first and second jaws into the closed position, wherein each of the first and second jaws comprise: a tube engaging portion, wherein opposing pairs of tube engaging portions for the first and second jaws define two or more adjacent channels configured to receive a portion of an endoscope tube, wherein each of the two or more adjacent channels has an arcuate longitudinal axis; and an actuation portion operable by a user to overcome the biasing action of the spring to open the first and second jaws.