Endoscope Distal Tip Mucus Elimination for Cellular Staining
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Solution Overview
Problem
The penetration of dye into the observation subject region is hindered by mucus on tissue surfaces during endoscopic observations, making it difficult to stain and perform histological observations in areas like the stomach or large intestine.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic inspection method that includes a mucus eliminating and staining step, where a staining fluid is supplied through a channel to eliminate mucus and stain the tissue surface, allowing for super magnified observation by maintaining contact with the tissue using a high-power observation optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dye is sprayed toward the observation subject region through the treatment instrument channel or auxiliary water feed channel, then staining function is provided, but penetration of dye into the observation subject region is disturbed by mucus
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end surface of the endoscope serves as an intermediary medium to facilitate dye penetration. By maintaining contact with the tissue surface, the distal end surface creates a direct pathway for the staining fluid to reach the tissue, bypassing the barrier effect of mucus that would otherwise block spray-delivered dye.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal end surface is positioned in contact with the tissue surface before dye administration to establish a penetration pathway. This preliminary positioning ensures that when staining fluid is supplied through the channel, it can immediately penetrate the tissue without being blocked by mucus.
2Measurement precision
If distal end surface is maintained in contact with tissue surface for super high-power observation, then observation precision is improved, but mucus on tissue surface prevents effective staining
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end surface is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the observation interface for super high-power imaging and as the delivery interface for staining fluid. This multi-functionality allows the same surface to maintain contact with the tissue for observation while also facilitating dye penetration through the channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The observation function and staining function are merged into a single integrated process. The distal end surface that provides the optical interface for high-power observation is also the surface through which the staining fluid is delivered, combining two previously separate operations into one unified action.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mucus is present on tissue surface, then natural protective barrier is maintained, but dye penetration and staining are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The mucus barrier is effectively removed or bypassed by establishing direct contact between the distal end surface and the tissue surface. This contact mechanism extracts the mucus from its blocking position, allowing the staining fluid to reach the tissue directly without being impeded by the protective mucus layer.
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
Enables effective staining and histological observation at a cellular level by eliminating mucus and ensuring the dye penetrates the tissue surface, improving the clarity of cell and gland duct structures.
Implementation Method 1
penetrating a staining fluid supplied through a channel into a gap between a distal end surface and a tissue surface to eliminate a mucus on the tissue surface
Implementation Method 2
penetrating a staining fluid supplied through a channel into a gap between a distal end surface and a tissue surface
Implementation Method 3
a first lens which forms a super high-power observation optical system in contact with the tissue surface
Implementation Method 4
performing a magnified observation at a cellular level by bringing the first lens which forms the super high-power observation optical system at the distal end portion into contact with the tissue surface
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic inspection method includes staining step and super magnified observation step. In the staining step, a distal end surface of a distal end portion of an endoscope which includes a distal end opening of a channel and a first lens that forms a super high-power observation optical system is held in contact with the tissue surface of the observation subject region such that the staining fluid supplied via the channel penetrates to the gap between the distal end surface and the tissue surface to eliminate the mucus on the tissue surface. The tissue surface having the mucus eliminated is stained with the staining fluid. In the super magnified observation step, the first lens which forms the super high-power observation optical system provided at the distal end portion is brought into contact with the tissue surface that has been stained with the staining fluid such that the observation at the cellular level is performed.