Endoscope Coupler Sheath for Sealing and Instrument Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes, particularly those with complex internal components like elevators and cables, face challenges in cleaning due to their small size and flexible design, leading to contamination risks and performance issues, especially in bacteria-rich environments, which can lead to infection and reduced scope lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A kit including a coupler device that covers and seals the working end of an endoscope, featuring a flexible working channel extension with adjustable articulation mechanisms, such as cables or actuators, to protect against contamination and facilitate instrument navigation through angular adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If endoscopes are designed with complex internal components like elevators and cables to enable instrument articulation, then instrument maneuverability is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases leading to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elevator mechanism from the endoscope by placing it externally in a sheath. This extraction eliminates the internal cable and elevator components that create cleaning difficulties, while preserving the articulation function through the external sheath mechanism that can be sterilized more easily
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope system is divided into separable components: the main endoscope body and the external sheath with elevator mechanism. This segmentation allows the sheath to be removed and sterilized independently, addressing the cleaning difficulty of integrated elevator systems while maintaining instrument articulation capability
2Length of moving object
If endoscopes are made small and flexible to access deep body regions, then access capability is improved, but cleaning accessibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator and cable mechanisms are extracted from the flexible endoscope body and placed in an external sheath. This allows the endoscope to remain small and flexible for deep body access, while the external sheath housing the articulation mechanisms can be more easily accessed and cleaned
Solution Approach 2:
The patent describes the sheath as a disposable component that can be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to thoroughly clean and sterilize complex internal mechanisms. This disposable approach solves the cleaning accessibility problem while maintaining scope flexibility
3Loss of substance
If reusable endoscopes are used to reduce waste, then resource efficiency is improved, but infection risk increases due to repeated sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the elevator mechanism to an external disposable sheath, the patent allows the main endoscope to be more easily and thoroughly sterilized between uses. The disposable sheath eliminates cross-contamination risk, enabling safer reuse of the expensive endoscope body
Solution Approach 2:
Separating the endoscope into reusable and disposable segments allows selective sterilization of the reusable portion while discarding the contaminated disposable portion. This segmentation reduces infection risk from repeated sterilization while maintaining resource efficiency
4Ease of operation
If internal cable mechanisms are used to move the elevator, then articulation function is improved, but bacterial colonization risk increases in hard-to-clean areas
Solution Approach 1:
The cable and elevator mechanisms are extracted from the internal environment of the endoscope and placed in the external sheath. This eliminates the hidden internal cavities and cable pathways where bacteria could colonize, while preserving full elevator actuation functionality through the external mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
Making the sheath containing the cable mechanism disposable eliminates bacterial colonization risk entirely, as the component is discarded after single use rather than repeatedly sterilized. The articulation function is maintained through the disposable sheath's integrated cable system
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for use in an endoscopic procedure on a patient comprises a device for use in the endoscopic procedure, such as an external accessory device for an endoscope or an endoscopic device configured for advancement through an opening into a patient. The kit further includes a coupler device for an endoscope that comprises a main body having a proximal end configured to attach to the distal end portion of the endoscope, and a mechanism for articulating an instrument passing through the endoscope so that instruments can exit the endoscope at various angles. The coupler device also provides a protective cover to reduce the ingress of debris, fluid, bacteria, or other unwanted matter from the working end of the endoscope which could lead to infection and decreased performance of the scope.