Endoscope Cover With Elastic Slit for Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems face challenges in easily attaching and detaching covers from the distal structure portion without causing damage, which complicates maintenance and reuse, and there is a need for a design that prevents accidental detachment during use.
Innovation Solution
A cover system for the endoscope that includes a cover body with an opening edge, an annular portion, a proximal edge, and a dividing portion with a slit, where the cover is designed to be easily attachable and detachable without breaking the annular portion, using a covering portion with elastic properties to maintain attachment and prevent accidental detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the cover is made detachable for maintenance purposes, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The cover attachment system transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic controllable state. The elastic covering portion allows the cover to be easily attached and detached on demand, while maintaining stable attachment during use through elastic retention forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of the covering portion enable parameter changes in the attachment system. The material can deform elastically to accommodate attachment/removal operations, then return to its original state to maintain secure attachment, changing the mechanical parameters of the connection as needed.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is made easily detachable, then ease of operation is improved, but strength deteriorates as the annular portion may break
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into the cover body and the elastic covering portion. This segmentation allows the covering portion to be specifically designed for elastic deformation and recovery, while the cover body maintains structural strength. The dividing portion with slit further segments the annular portion to enable controlled deformation without breaking the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering portion is made from an elastic material that can be stretched and deformed like a flexible shell. This allows the annular portion to be easily detached by stretching the covering portion, while the elastic material's ability to return to its original shape prevents permanent deformation or breaking of the annular structure.
3Device complexity
If the cover structure is simplified for easy attachment, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability worsens due to lack of accidental detachment prevention
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic covering portion provides self-service functionality by automatically maintaining attachment through its elastic properties. When the cover is attached, the elastic material naturally returns to its original shape, creating retention forces that hold the cover in place without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex fastening systems.
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 solution allows for convenient and safe removal of the cover without damaging the endoscope, facilitating maintenance and reuse while preventing accidental detachment during use, enhancing the operational reliability and longevity of the endoscope system.
Implementation Method 1
a covering portion configured to cover a part of the annular portion, where at least the dividing portion is provided
Data Source
AI summary
A cover includes a cover body and a covering portion. The cover body can include an opening edge exposing a part of a distal structure portion, an annular portion surrounding a periphery of the distal structure portion, a proximal edge, a dividing portion provided in the annular portion in a manner to define a slit that is continuous with the opening edge portion and the proximal edge portion, and an overlapping portion. The dividing portion includes a first cylindrical wall portion, and a second cylindrical wall portion. The first cylindrical wall portion and the second cylindrical wall portion overlap at least partly in the overlapping portion. The covering portion is configured to cover a part, where at least the dividing portion is provided.