Endoscope Cover Segmentation for Controlled Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope covers are difficult to detach from the distal framing portion without being partly broken, making it challenging to efficiently remove and replace them for sanitation and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A disposable endoscope cover design featuring a cylindrical cover main body with a depressed lock portion and a groove at the proximal end, which is locked to a protruding lock portion on the distal framing portion, allowing for secure attachment and easy detachment using a jig that applies stress to breakage points without damaging the cover or framing portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cover is locked to the distal framing portion with a protruding lock portion and depressed lock portion, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the detachment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with a fragile portion that segments the structure, allowing controlled breakage at a specific location. This enables the lock portion to remain intact for reliable attachment while the fragile portion breaks easily during detachment, resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and detachment ease
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary structure that guides the protruding lock portion during detachment. When the fragile portion breaks, the groove provides a path for the lock portion to exit smoothly, facilitating easy removal without damaging the main body or framing portion
2Productivity
If the cover is made disposable for easy replacement, then the sanitation efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed as a disposable component with a fragile portion that breaks during detachment, enabling easy replacement for sanitation purposes. The fragile portion is intentionally designed to be the weakest point, ensuring controlled breakage while keeping the rest of the structure reusable and cost-effective
Solution Approach 2:
The fragile portion has locally reduced strength compared to other parts of the cover. This localized weakness allows the cover to be disposed of easily after use while maintaining structural integrity during attachment and normal use, optimizing both sanitation efficiency and manufacturing cost
3Ease of operation
If the cover is torn along a groove from proximal end to distal side, then the detachment ease is improved, but the risk of damaging the framing portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is segmented into a fragile portion and a lock portion. The fragile portion is designed to break at a specific location, separating the detachment action from the lock mechanism, thereby preventing damage to the framing portion while maintaining easy detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The groove serves as an intermediary structure that guides the protruding lock portion during detachment. It provides a controlled path for the lock portion to exit, ensuring smooth removal without applying excessive force that could damage the framing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope cover attached in a lock state to a protruding lock portion of a distal framing portion of an insertion section of an endoscope, includes: a cover main body including an annular portion and which is attached to the distal framing portion along a longitudinal axis; a depressed lock portion provided on the cover main body and locked to the protruding lock portion of the distal framing portion; and a groove provided on a part including the proximal end of the annular portion and in which the protruding lock portion is configured to be located when the cover main body is turned with respect to the distal framing portion in the peripheral direction of the longitudinal axis and the protruding lock portion is unlocked from the depressed lock portion.