Endoscope Elevator Jig for Reliable, Window-Safe Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevators in endoscopes are difficult to attach reliably due to their small size, and using grippers can damage observation or illumination windows.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with a jig having a grip portion that is gripped during attachment, connected in a separable manner, and optionally featuring anti-slip, foldable, screwable, or magnetically attachable designs to facilitate easy and damage-free installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elevator is attached by gripping it with fingers, then the attachment operation is simple, but the attachment reliability is insufficient due to the minute size of the elevator
Solution Approach 1:
A jig is introduced as an intermediary tool between the operator and the elevator. The jig includes a grip portion that can be easily held by fingers and a connection portion that connects to the elevator. This mediator enables reliable force transmission and precise positioning without requiring direct finger gripping of the tiny elevator component.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment tool is divided into two functional segments: a grip portion for easy manual handling and a connection portion for secure engagement with the elevator. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the grip portion for operator comfort and the connection portion for precise, reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If a gripper such as tweezers is used to attach the elevator, then the attachment reliability improves, but the observation window and illumination window may be damaged by collision with the gripper
Solution Approach 1:
The jig serves as a mediator that enables reliable elevator attachment while being designed to avoid damaging the distal end portion. The connection portion can be made sufficiently small or designed with appropriate geometry to pass through or around fragile components without causing collision damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The jig is designed with different local characteristics: the grip portion is sized for comfortable manual handling, while the connection portion is minimized in size and optimized for precise engagement with the elevator without interfering with observation or illumination windows.
3Ease of operation
If the jig is made foldably removable, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jig transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with foldable connection. The connection portion can be folded relative to the grip portion, enabling easy removal from the elevator after attachment. This dynamic feature is simple enough to maintain low overall device complexity while significantly improving operational ease.
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 reliable and simple attachment of the elevator without damaging the endoscope's components, ensuring ease of use and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-slip layer is provided on a surface of the jig including the grip portion
Implementation Method 2
the jig is connected by magnetic adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an elevator that can be reliably attached by a simple operation and an endoscope including the elevator. An elevator engages with and attached to an engagement end of a rotation shaft protruding from a distal end portion of the endoscope by being pushed in from a direction intersecting with an axial length direction, and is elevated according to rotation of the rotation shaft. A jig is connected to the elevator, and the jig has a grip portion that is gripped when the elevator is attached and can be separated after the attachment.