Endoscope Coupler Locking Elements and Protective Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes pose a risk of bacterial contamination and infection due to their complex and small optical visualization components, which are difficult to clean, especially when reused, and instruments passing through the working channel can shift position during procedures, complicating instrument exchange.
Innovation Solution
A coupler device that attaches to the endoscope, providing a secure instrument channel and protective cover to prevent debris and bacteria ingress, while allowing instruments to exit at adjustable angles and securing them in place, using mechanisms like actuators and locking elements to maintain instrument position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If endoscopes are reused to increase productivity, then the number of procedures per scope increases, but the risk of bacterial contamination and infection increases due to difficult-to-clean components
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope system is divided into reusable components (main scope, handle, cable) and disposable components (distal end assembly, optical elements, working channel components). The disposable distal end assembly can be detached and discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to clean complex optical components while allowing the expensive reusable portions to be reused multiple times.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable distal end assembly is extracted as a separate removable component from the reusable endoscope system. This allows the distal end with its complex optical visualization components to be removed and discarded after one use, while the main scope body remains for reuse after standard reprocessing procedures.
2Ease of operation
If instruments are made flexible to improve ease of operation, then instruments can navigate complex anatomy better, but instrument stability decreases causing position shifts during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows instruments to transition from a flexible state during navigation to a constrained stable state during use. The disposable distal end assembly includes features like guide catheters and retention mechanisms that stabilize the instrument position after it has been navigated into place, while still allowing initial flexibility for navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable distal end assembly acts as an intermediary between the flexible instrument and the patient anatomy. It provides a stable interface and retention mechanism that holds the instrument in position, while allowing the instrument itself to remain flexible for navigation through complex anatomy.
3Measurement precision
If endoscopes are made more sophisticated with advanced optical components to improve visualization, then diagnostic and treatment capabilities improve, but cleaning difficulty increases due to small numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end assembly containing the sophisticated optical visualization components (camera, light guides, lenses) is designed as a disposable component. Instead of attempting to clean these complex small components, the entire assembly is discarded after single use, eliminating cleaning difficulties while maintaining advanced visualization capabilities in the reusable portion of the system.
4Ease of operation
If instruments are allowed to move freely through the working channel to improve ease of operation, then instrument exchange is easier, but instrument position control decreases allowing position shifts during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The working channel system transitions from a free-moving state during instrument exchange to a constrained state during instrument use. The disposable distal end assembly includes retention features and guide structures that stabilize instrument position after exchange, while allowing easy exchange during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable distal end assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates easy instrument exchange while providing stable position control. It includes features like guide catheters and retention mechanisms that allow instruments to be exchanged smoothly while preventing position shifts during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope companion or coupler device comprises a proximal end configured for attachment to a working end of an endoscope and a visualization section for allowing viewing of tissue. The coupler device includes an instrument channel, such as a working channel extension or an open passageway, having an open distal end and a proximal end that is configured for alignment with a working channel of the endoscope. The coupler device is configured to constrain and/or secure an instrument that has passed through the instrument channel to ensure that the instrument remains in place at the target site and/or to facilitate instrument exchange. 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.