Endoscope Cover Fragile Portion and Buffer for Controlled Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope covers are difficult to remove from the distal framing portion without breaking, which complicates the process of cleaning and reusing the endoscope, and there is a need for a solution that ensures safe and efficient detachment.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope cover features a fragile portion with reduced mechanical strength, strategically located to break easily, and a buffer portion to absorb forces, allowing for controlled detachment using a jig or manual force, ensuring safe removal without damaging the cover or the endoscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the endoscope cover is made secure and difficult to detach, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of operation for removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with a fragile portion that segments the attachment mechanism, allowing controlled detachment at a specific location. This segmentation enables the cover to remain securely attached during use while providing a predetermined weak point for easy removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fragile portion is pre-formed as a planned weakness during manufacturing, preparing the cover for future controlled detachment. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when removal is needed, the cover can be easily detached at the predetermined location without requiring excessive force or complex operations.
2Ease of operation
If a fragile portion is formed for easy detachment, then the ease of operation for removal is improved, but the strength of the cover deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover exhibits local quality variations where the fragile portion has reduced mechanical strength compared to other regions. This localized weakness is strategically positioned to enable easy detachment at a specific location while maintaining full strength in other areas during normal operation and attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure is segmented into strong regions for attachment and a localized fragile portion for detachment. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to have vastly different mechanical properties, optimizing both attachment strength and removal ease simultaneously.
3Productivity
If the cover is designed to break easily for removal, then the loss of time for cleaning and reuse is reduced, but the reliability of the cover deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fragile portion is pre-formed during manufacturing as a planned detachment mechanism, preparing the cover for efficient future removal. This preliminary structural preparation enables quick detachment for cleaning without requiring excessive time or complex operations, while the cover remains reliable during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is segmented with a predetermined fragile portion that allows controlled detachment for cleaning while maintaining structural integrity during operation. This segmentation ensures that the cover can be quickly removed for maintenance and then reattached, improving productivity without compromising operational reliability.
4Ease of operation
If the fragile portion is located adjacent to the window, then the ease of operation for controlled detachment is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fragile portion is positioned at a specific location adjacent to the window opening, creating a localized weak point that facilitates controlled detachment. This positioning allows users to easily identify and apply force at the correct location for removal, improving operational ease while the manufacturing precision is concentrated at this specific critical point.
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 enables easy and controlled removal of the endoscope cover, facilitating cleaning and reuse of the endoscope while preventing accidental breakage and ensuring safety during the process.
Implementation Method 1
The end portion of the buffer portion is configured to reduce a force exerted from a distal side of the fragile portion onto the fragile portion along the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope cover includes a cover main body, a fragile portion, and a buffer portion. The cover main body includes a window and an annular portion. The window opens in a radial direction of a longitudinal axis of an insertion section. The annular portion is provided on a proximal side of the window along the longitudinal axis of the insertion section and surrounding the distal framing portion. The fragile portion is provided at a position on the annular portion which is adjacent to the window. The buffer portion is provided on the cover main body. The buffer portion includes an end portion. The end portion of the buffer portion is configured to reduce a force exerted from the distal side of the fragile portion onto the fragile portion along the longitudinal axis.