Geared Endoscope Elevator Mechanics for Compact Handle Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes, particularly duodenoscopes, face issues with inefficient use of installation space in the handle housing due to complex elevator mechanics that require a slider rod and multiple gear engagements, leading to increased play and limited space for other components.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope employs geared elevator mechanics with only two gear wheels - an operation wheel and a wire wheel - connected via a pull wire, eliminating the need for a slider rod and optimizing space usage, allowing for a compact handle design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex elevator mechanics with slider rod and multiple gear engagements are used, then motion inversion is achieved, but installation space in handle housing is insufficient and play increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the slider rod from the elevator mechanics system, extracting the problematic component that caused space consumption and play. The motion inversion function is maintained through a direct gear engagement between the operation wheel and wire wheel, eliminating the need for the slider rod while preserving the essential operational characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator mechanics is segmented into two independent functional components: the operation wheel for input and the wire wheel for wire transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and eliminates the need for the intermediate slider rod connection, reducing overall complexity and space requirements while maintaining motion inversion through direct gear meshing.
2Ease of operation
If slider rod is used in elevator mechanics, then motion transmission is achieved, but handle housing becomes too large for other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motion transmission function directly into the gear engagement between the operation wheel and wire wheel. The wire wheel serves dual purposes: it transmits the pulling force to the wire and simultaneously provides the motion inversion function. This merging eliminates the need for the separate slider rod component, reducing the volume required in the handle housing while maintaining full operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If multiple gear engagements are used, then motion inversion is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary intermediate gear engagements from the system. By removing the slider rod and its associated connection mechanisms, the design reduces multiple gear engagements to a single direct gear mesh between the operation wheel and wire wheel. This extraction maintains the motion inversion function while significantly reducing the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple intermediate components to achieve motion inversion, the patent inverts the approach by using a direct gear engagement between two wheels where the wire wheel is positioned to receive rotational input from the operation wheel and convert it to the desired linear motion of the wire. This inverted design achieves the same functional result with fewer 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
This configuration reduces the need for additional space within the handle housing, enabling accommodation of other components like valves while maintaining operational familiarity and efficiency in elevator element movement.
Implementation Method 1
The operation wheel gear portion is in meshing engagement with the wire wheel gear portion
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an endoscope (102) comprising: an endoscope handle (100) comprising a handle housing (104) and a manually operable element (134); and an insertion cord (112) comprising a distal tip unit (118) comprising an elevator element (160) movable between a first elevator position (162) and a second elevator position (164); wherein the manually operable element (134) is connected to the elevator element (160) via elevator mechanics (166) and a wire (154), and a manual operation of the manually operable element (134) is transmitted via the elevator mechanics (166) and the wire (154) to the elevator element (160) such that a first operation position (150) of the manually operable element (134) corresponds to the first elevator position (162) and a second operation position (152) of the manually operable element (134) corresponds to the second elevator position (164); and wherein the elevator mechanics (166) comprise: an operation wheel (140) connected to the manually operable element (134) and comprising an operation wheel gear portion (142); and a wire wheel (146) comprising a wire wheel gear portion (144); wherein the operation wheel gear portion (142) is in meshing engagement with the wire wheel gear portion (144); and wherein the wire (154) is connected to the wire wheel (146).