Endoscope Elevator Mechanism for Front and Side Tool Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope assemblies do not adequately allow surgical tools to exit from both the front and side openings of the endoscope tip, limiting visibility and accessibility for procedures like polyp or lesion removal.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope assembly features a working channel with both front and side openings, equipped with an elevator mechanism that directs the medical tool to exit through either opening, guided by a ramp structure controlled by a pivot system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical tools exit only from the front opening, then the structure is simple, but visibility and accessibility for side wall procedures are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The working channel is segmented into multiple exit paths: a front opening and one or more side openings. The elevator mechanism is segmented into discrete positions (first position for front exit, second position for side exit) that direct the surgical tool through different routes, enabling versatile access to both front and side wall procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator mechanism is made dynamic and adjustable, capable of moving between at least two positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the surgical tool to be directed flexibly through either the front opening or side opening based on procedural needs, enhancing adaptability without permanent structural complexity.
2Productivity
If the endoscope tip must be repositioned to access side wall polyps, then the structure remains simple, but time is lost in repositioning and relocating
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator mechanism provides dynamic control over tool exit direction, allowing the surgical tool to access side wall polyps without repositioning the endoscope tip. The operator can simply adjust the elevator to the second position to direct the tool through the side opening, eliminating time-consuming repositioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator mechanism acts as an intermediary between the surgical tool and the two exit paths (front and side openings). By controlling the elevator position, the operator can selectively direct the tool through the appropriate opening without moving the endoscope itself, thereby maintaining continuous visibility and avoiding repositioning delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple viewing elements are added to enable front and side viewing, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side-looking viewing element serves multiple functions: it provides visibility for side wall procedures when the elevator directs the tool through the side opening, and it can also monitor the overall procedure. This multi-functional design enhances visibility capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by making one viewing element serve multiple purposes.
4Device complexity
If a single working channel is used with elevator mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to direct tools to multiple exits is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator mechanism within the single working channel is made dynamically adjustable with at least two positions. This dynamic positioning system enables the surgical tool to be directed flexibly through either the front opening or side opening, providing versatile tool exit direction control without the need for multiple separate working channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator mechanism serves as an intermediary component within the single working channel that controls the direction of tool exit. By positioning the elevator at different locations (first position for front exit, second position for side exit), the system achieves multi-directional tool delivery through a unified channel structure, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided herein an endoscope assembly comprising at least one front-pointing viewing element on a front end of a distal section of the endoscope assembly, at least one side-looking viewing element on at least one side wall of the distal section of the endoscope assembly, a working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool towards the distal section, and a system for regulating the direction of exit of medical device wherein said system enables the medical device to exit at multiple angles to the long dimension of the endoscope device either from the front end or through side walls of the distal section of the device.