Flexible Endoscope Cover Fixing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope protective cover fixing devices are limited by the need for specific shapes and sizes that match the endoscope, leading to potential damage and reduced image clarity due to improper fitting, and are not adaptable to different endoscope shapes or sizes.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, plate-shaped device with insertion holes and a flexible pressing part that can be bent to securely attach the protective cover to the endoscope without damaging it, allowing for various cover shapes and sizes, and facilitating easy attachment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid fixing parts are used to secure the protective cover, then the cover is firmly fixed without slippage, but the endoscope may be damaged due to strong pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing part is constructed from flexible material that can deform to accommodate the endoscope surface, providing secure fixation through friction and conformal contact rather than rigid clamping. This flexible structure maintains reliable attachment while distributing pressure evenly to prevent damage to the endoscope.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanism utilizes changes in material properties (flexibility, elasticity) to achieve secure fixation. The flexible fixing part can deform during attachment and then elastic recovery provides continuous gentle pressure that prevents slippage without concentrating force that would damage the endoscope.
2Reliability
If fixing parts are designed to match specific endoscope shapes, then secure fixation is achieved, but the device cannot be used with different endoscope shapes or sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing part is designed with universal adaptability through its flexible material construction and geometric shape that can conform to various endoscope profiles. This single design can securely attach to different endoscope shapes and sizes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized fixing parts while maintaining reliable fixation across all variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing part incorporates dynamic adaptability through its flexible material that can deform and adjust its shape during the attachment process. This allows the same fixing part to accommodate different endoscope geometries by dynamically changing its own configuration, providing secure fixation without requiring precise pre-matching to specific endoscope shapes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cover tip is made to tightly fit the endoscope tip, then image clarity is improved, but the operation of fitting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cover and its fixing components utilize flexible material that can deform during the attachment process. This flexibility allows the cover to be easily pushed onto the endoscope tip without requiring precise alignment or excessive force, while still achieving a tight fit that ensures image clarity. The flexible material self-adjusts to achieve proper contact.
4Loss of time
If disposable protective covers are used to avoid cleaning and sterilizing, then time and effort are saved, but mistakes with dimensions and shapes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable protective cover system employs a universal fixing part design that can accommodate multiple endoscope shapes and sizes. This standardization reduces dimensional matching errors while maintaining the time-saving benefit of disposable covers, as users do not need to carefully select covers for each specific endoscope variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible material in the disposable cover allows it to dynamically adapt to different endoscope dimensions during attachment. This reduces the risk of dimensional mismatches and fitting errors, making the disposable cover system more reliable while still eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilizing procedures.
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 device effectively prevents slippage of protective covers on endoscopes without damaging them, ensuring clear images and ease of use across different endoscope and cover configurations, while reducing the need for specific shape and size matching.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible pressing part which is placed on the inner surface of the main body and which is arranged to deform and presses the endoscope which is covered by the protective cover onto another part in the inner surface of the main body
Data Source
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AI summary
Problem: To provide a device for preventing slippage of protective covers which can fix protective covers which protect endoscopes in a correct state without slipping on the endoscopes and without damaging the endoscopes or the protective covers, and an endoscope set provided with this device. Means of Solving the Problem: The main body (11) of a device (10) for fixing a protective cover (25) on an endoscope (30) in a state which prevents slippage is formed from a base (16) and an engaging piece (17) and an engaged piece (18) which extend from the sides of the base (16) and the ends of which can engage with each other by bending the base (11). Moreover, an insertion hole (13) is placed in the boundary part between the base (16) and the engaging piece (17) and an insertion hole (12) is placed in the boundary part between the base (16) and the engaged piece (18). Furthermore, a pressing part (15) is placed on the lower surface of the engaging piece (17) and a projecting part (14) is placed on the upper surface of the base (16). Moreover, the endoscope (20) covered with the protective cover (25) is inserted into the insertion holes (12 and 13) and can be pressed onto the projecting part (14) by the pressing part (15).