Endoscope Elastic Wire Reinforcement for Pushability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in achieving both pushability to reduce buckling at the tip end and reducing the diameter of the insertion portion, as reinforcing members either reduce the inner space or increase the outer diameter, compromising the accommodation of imaging units.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring an imaging unit with a lens and imaging element, a resin tube extending to the base end, and an elastic wire with flexibility and flexural rigidity, where the elastic wire is inserted through the resin tube and extends along it, providing pushability while maintaining a small diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a tubular reinforcing member is inserted through the inside of the tubular flexible elongate member, then pushability is improved, but inner space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastic wire with a circular cross-section instead of a tubular reinforcing member. The elastic wire provides the necessary flexural rigidity and pushability while occupying minimal space within the flexible elongate member, thus maintaining adequate inner space for imaging units and other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the reinforcing structure by using a solid elastic wire with a specific circular cross-section rather than a tubular structure. This parameter change allows achieving the required mechanical strength and pushability with reduced space occupation, resolving the contradiction between pushability and inner space.
2Volume of stationary object
If accommodation space for imaging unit is secured in the inner space of the tubular reinforcing member, then imaging capability is improved, but outer diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic wire with circular cross-section provides a compact reinforcing structure that minimizes the outer diameter of the insertion portion while still allowing adequate accommodation space for the imaging unit and other components within the flexible elongate member.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from a tubular reinforcing member to a solid elastic wire with circular cross-section, the patent reduces the outer diameter while maintaining necessary inner space, thus resolving the contradiction between accommodation space and outer diameter.
3Ease of operation
If the insertion portion has flexibility, then insertability is improved, but operation transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic wire embedded within the flexible elongate member provides internal support that transmits operational forces from the proximal side to the distal side while allowing the outer structure to remain flexible for easy insertion into bent body cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining the flexible elongate member with the elastic wire reinforcement. This composite structure simultaneously provides flexibility for insertability and structural integrity for reliable operation transmission, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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
This design achieves both pushability to reduce buckling and a reduction in diameter, ensuring effective insertion and operation without compromising the space for imaging units.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic wire having flexibility and flexural rigidity
Implementation Method 2
an elastic wire having flexibility and flexural rigidity with a tip end disposed outside the imaging element, being inserted through the resin tube and extending along the resin tube
Data Source
AI summary
An objective is to achieve an endoscope in which a distal part of an insertion unit has a reduced diameter, yet the endoscope has good pushability so that buckling at the distal part can be avoided. This endoscope is provided with: an imaging unit having a lens and an imaging element; a resin tube which extends from the imaging unit to the proximal side opposite the distal side, and through which a cable conductively connected to the imaging element is inserted; and an elastic wire which has a distal end disposed outwardly of the imaging element, is inserted in and extends through the resin tube, and has flexibility and bending stiffness.