Endoscope Elevator Housing Cleaning via Diameter-Enlarged Insertion Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes with elevator mechanisms face challenges in reliably cleaning and disinfecting the elevator housing portion due to obstruction by the elevator itself and the need for additional space, which increases the distal end size.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a diameter-enlarged portion in the treatment tool insertion path that expands towards the treatment tool outlet, allowing for effective cleaning and disinfection of the elevator housing portion without increasing the distal end size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid injection port is formed toward the elevator in the elevator housing portion, then liquid can flow to the lower side of the elevator to prevent insufficient cleaning, but the elevator obstructs the cleaning and disinfection of the liquid injection port and liquid injection path
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming the liquid injection port toward the elevator (which causes obstruction), the patent inverts the approach by forming the liquid injection port away from the elevator and using the treatment tool insertion path as the liquid injection path. This allows liquid to flow along the treatment tool insertion path and reach the elevator housing portion without being obstructed by the elevator mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment tool insertion path is given a dual function: it serves both as the passage for the treatment tool and as the liquid injection path for cleaning and disinfection. This eliminates the need for a separate liquid injection port and path, simplifying the structure while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a liquid injection path is provided in the elevator housing portion, then cleaning and disinfection can be improved, but the distal end size of the endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment tool insertion path is given a dual function: it serves both as the passage for the treatment tool and as the liquid injection path for cleaning and disinfection. This eliminates the need for a separate liquid injection path, avoiding additional space requirements and maintaining a compact distal end size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the treatment tool insertion path and liquid injection path into a single structure. By combining these two functions into one path, the design avoids the need for separate channels that would increase the distal end diameter, thus maintaining a compact size while achieving reliable cleaning.
3Length of stationary object
If the treatment tool insertion path has a narrow diameter, then the distal end size remains compact, but cleaning and disinfection of the elevator housing portion becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment tool insertion path is designed with a specific local quality feature: it has a diameter that is larger than the treatment tool itself, creating a gap between the treatment tool and the path wall. This local expansion allows cleaning liquid to effectively reach and flow along the elevator housing portion during cleaning, while the overall path remains compact when the treatment tool is inserted.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an endoscope in which cleaning or disinfection of an elevator housing portion can be reliably performed with a simple configuration.An endoscope includes a distal end part formed with an elevator housing portion, an elevator disposed in the elevator housing portion, and a treatment tool insertion path communicating with a treatment tool outlet that is open to the elevator housing portion, in which the treatment tool insertion path has a diameter-enlarged portion that enlarges in diameter toward the treatment tool outlet.