Endoscope Distal End Structure with Rotating Movable Barrel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopes face challenges in efficiently adjusting the position of treatment instruments at a target site due to limitations in the distal end structure, which affects operability and workability during procedures.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope features a fixed barrel with an image pickup unit, a movable barrel that holds the treatment instrument channel, and a power transmission mechanism allowing the movable barrel to turn without rotating the image pickup unit, enabling precise positioning of the treatment instrument around the optical axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the insertion portion is made turnable to improve position adjustment of treatment instrument, then the operability is improved, but the image pickup unit rotates along with it causing image disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adjustment of treatment instrumentVSAvoidimage continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion portion is divided into two independent rotational components: the fixed barrel that holds the image pickup unit and the movable barrel that holds the treatment instrument channel. The fixed barrel remains stationary to maintain image continuity, while the movable barrel can rotate independently to adjust the treatment instrument position, thus resolving the contradiction between operability and image stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A power transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the operator's control and the movable barrel. This mechanism enables precise rotational control of the movable barrel while keeping the fixed barrel and image pickup unit stationary, allowing position adjustment without image disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a simple bending portion structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of treatment instrument positioning is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistal end structureVSAvoidtreatment instrument position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The distal end structure transitions from a static bending portion to a dynamic system with independent rotational capability. The movable barrel can rotate around the optical axis within a predetermined angle range, providing dynamic positioning control that enhances precision while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation through the power transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11382491B2Endoscope, distal end structure of endoscope and method for modifying distal end structure of endoscope

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An endoscope includes a fixed barrel non-turnably provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, an image pickup unit held to the fixed barrel, a movable barrel including a channel holding hole for holding a distal end of a treatment instrument channel inserted through the insertion portion, the movable barrel being supported by the fixed barrel so as to be turnable around an optical axis of the image pickup unit and being located closer to a distal end side than the fixed barrel, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits, to the movable barrel, power for causing the movable barrel to turn.