Endoscope Insertion Cord Conditioning for Graduated Flexibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope insertion cords lack a cost-effective method to achieve graduated bendability along their length, particularly for disposable endoscopes, complicating navigation through tortuous paths.
Innovation Solution
A method involving thermal and mechanical conditioning of the main tube, comprising heating a polymer layer to above the Vicat softening temperature but below the melting point, followed by controlled mechanical deformation, such as a meander bend, to impart varying bendability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If co-extrusion of soft and rigid polymer resin layers is used to achieve graduated bendability, then the bendability is improved, but the extrusion process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the thickness of the soft polymer resin layer along the length of the main tube. Instead of using multiple extrusion layers with different material properties, the invention changes the geometric parameter (thickness) of a single layer to achieve the desired graduated bendability. This resolves the contradiction by achieving adaptability through a simple single-layer extrusion process with variable thickness, avoiding the complexity of co-extrusion while maintaining the benefit of graduated bendability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the main tube is made highly bendable to follow the bending section, then the navigation capability is improved, but the structural integrity and force transmission capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a main tube with non-uniform thickness distribution. The soft polymer resin layer is thicker in distal sections where high bendability is needed for navigation, and thinner in proximal sections where force transmission strength is critical. This allows different parts of the same component to have different mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between navigation capability and force transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the main tube with a continuous gradient of bendability rather than discrete sections. The varying thickness creates a smooth transition in mechanical properties along the length of the tube, allowing it to dynamically adapt its flexibility characteristics to match the operational requirements at different locations during endoscope manipulation.
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 method efficiently achieves graduated bendability along the endoscope insertion cord, enhancing navigation through complex anatomical pathways while maintaining structural integrity for single-use endoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
heating a polymer layer to above the Vicat softening temperature but below the melting point
Implementation Method 2
followed by controlled mechanical deformation, such as a meander bend, to impart varying bendability
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing an insertion cord of an endoscope with graduated flexibility along the length of the insertion cord. The method includes: providing a main tube having a proximal and a distal end, and subjecting the main tube to a conditioning process including application of heat and a temporary mechanical deformation along at least a part of the length of the main tube between said proximal end and said distal end. The magnitude of the temporary mechanical deformation is varied along said part of the length of the main tube.