Disposable Endoscope Cover with Tearing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope distal end structures with reusable covers face challenges in easy cleaning and disinfection due to complex reattachment processes and material degradation over time, leading to potential positional deviations during use.
Innovation Solution
A distal end structure featuring a single-use cover with a flexible insulative material, a projecting section, an opening window, a through-hole, and to-be-torn-apart sections that allow for easy attachment and removal, ensuring secure positioning and preventing high-frequency current leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a reusable cover is attached to the distal end portion, then the cover can be used multiple times, but complicated work is required for reattachment and material characteristics change due to repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by providing a single-use cover that is attached to the distal end portion and then removed after use. The cover is designed to be discarded rather than reused, eliminating the problems of material degradation and complex reattachment procedures. The cover includes a tearing section that allows for easy removal, and a new cover is used for each patient treatment, ensuring consistent performance and eliminating reattachment complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cover is made detachable for cleaning purposes, then cleaning and disinfection become easier, but the cover may come off or positionally deviate during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the cover disposable rather than reusable. The cover is attached during use and then easily removed by tearing at the designated section for cleaning purposes. Since a new cover is used for each patient, there is no need for repeated attachment and detachment cycles, eliminating positional deviation issues while maintaining easy cleaning capability. The insulating member remains on the distal end portion throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is segmented into different functional sections: a main body portion that provides insulation and covers the distal end portion, and a tearing section that facilitates easy removal. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily detached for cleaning while maintaining secure attachment during use through the engagement between the insulating member's projecting section and the cover's through-hole.
3Reliability
If a groove section is provided to prevent cover from coming off, then attachment security is improved, but cleaning work takes more time due to narrow gaps among components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle where the cover is used once and then discarded. The cover is attached securely during use through the engagement between the insulating member's projecting section and the cover's through-hole, preventing the cover from coming off. After use, the cover is easily removed by tearing at the designated section and discarded, eliminating the need for time-consuming cleaning of narrow gaps among reusable components.
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
Facilitates efficient cleaning and disinfection by allowing easy detachment and reattachment of the cover, preventing positional deviations and ensuring reliable electrical insulation during high-frequency treatments.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating member provided around the insertion axis on a proximal end side of the distal end member
Implementation Method 2
a cover formed of a flexible insulative material that covers the distal end member
Data Source
AI summary
A distal end structure of an endoscope according to the present invention includes a distal end member formed of a metal material, an insulating ring provided in an annular shape around an insertion axis on a proximal end side of the distal end member, a cover formed of a flexible insulative material that covers the distal end member, a projecting section provided integrally with the insulating ring and projecting in a direction crossing the insertion axis, a through-hole provided in the cover and engaging with the projecting section, and a to-be-tom-apart section provided near the through-hole, in which force is applied to the to-be-torn-apart section to tear apart the cover along the insertion axis direction and remove the cover from the distal end member.