Endoscope Control Wheel with Adjustable Protrusions for Small Hands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes, particularly those with small control wheels, pose ergonomic challenges for users with relatively small hands, leading to strain and difficulty in manipulation, especially during prolonged procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope with a control wheel featuring adjustable protrusions that can extend from a retracted to an extended position, connected via joints such as turning, hinge, or telescopic mechanisms, allowing for improved ergonomics and reduced force required for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control wheel has a small radius, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates for users with small hands
Solution Approach 1:
The control wheel incorporates movable protrusions that can dynamically change position between retracted and extended states. This dynamic configuration allows the wheel's effective radius to be adjusted, making it easier to operate for users with smaller hands while maintaining a compact form when the protrusions are retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are designed to be nested within the control wheel structure when in the retracted position. The base parts form the wheel's basic structure, while the extension parts can be folded or retracted into the wheel body, creating a nested configuration that reduces the overall size and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the control wheel is made larger to improve ergonomics, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than permanently increasing the control wheel size, the invention uses movable protrusions that extend only when needed. This dynamic adjustment provides larger effective radius for improved ergonomics during operation, while returning to a compact state when not in use, avoiding permanent complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions provide localized enhancement to the control wheel's functionality. Only specific portions of the wheel (the protrusions) are made movable and extendable, rather than enlarging the entire wheel structure. This localized approach improves ergonomics where needed while minimizing overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extension parts are added to the control wheel, then the adaptability improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension parts serve multiple functions: they increase the effective radius for better ergonomics, provide additional grip points for users with smaller hands, and can be retracted when not needed. This multi-functionality justifies the additional manufacturing complexity by providing versatile adaptability across different user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control wheel is segmented into base parts and separate extension parts. This segmentation allows the extension parts to be manufactured independently and then assembled to the base structure, potentially simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to creating a single complex piece with variable geometry.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3f
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AI summary
Endoscope comprising a proximal handle, and an insertion cord extending distally from the handle or interface, the insertion cord having distal bending section; a control wheel arranged at the handle, the control wheel having a wheel rotation axis and a perimeter comprising protrusions extending away from the wheel rotation axis, the control wheel controlling bending of the bending section by rotation of the control wheel around the wheel rotation axis, wherein at least one protrusion comprises a base part and an extension part, which is optionally extendable from a retracted position to an extended position.