Endoscope Biopsy Needle Elevation Mechanism Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in efficiently elevating treatment tools while maintaining user operational feel and compact distal end design, which affects cleaning efficiency and tool manipulation precision.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a treatment tool elevator base supported by a rotation shaft at the distal end, with an operation transmission mechanism involving links and wires that allow for precise elevation and retraction of the tool, utilizing a tapered channel design and O-ring sealing to enhance cleaning access and maintain user familiarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a treatment tool elevator base is rotated by pulling an operation wire connected to the treatment tool elevator base toward a proximal end side, then the treatment tool is elevated, but the distal end portion becomes enlarged and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of connecting the wire to the elevator base directly at the distal end, the patent inverts the connection approach by attaching the wire to a second member that engages with a first member including an engagement portion. This inverted connection arrangement allows the wire to be positioned on the side opposite to the elevation side, enabling brush access to the distal end while maintaining tool elevation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the wire connection portion in a different spatial dimension - specifically on the side opposite to the elevation side relative to a reference plane. This dimensional repositioning separates the wire connection from the elevation mechanism, allowing both cleaning access and tool elevation to coexist without interference
2Speed
If the wire connection portion is positioned on the elevation side, then the tool elevation is direct, but brush access to the distal end is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional wire connection positioning by placing the wire connection portion on the side opposite to the elevation side. This inversion allows the elevator base to rotate freely for tool elevation while simultaneously providing unobstructed access for cleaning brushes to the distal end portion
3Manufacturing precision
If a complex operation transmission mechanism is used to achieve precise tool elevation, then the manipulation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation transmission mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a first member with an engagement portion, a second member with a wire connection portion, and an engagement mechanism connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The second member acts as an intermediary between the wire and the treatment tool elevation mechanism. It transmits the pulling force from the wire to the first member, enabling precise tool elevation while simplifying the overall transmission mechanism through this intermediate transmission element
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 enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing direct brush access and reduces the force required for tool elevation, maintaining user operational feel and preventing distal end enlargement, thus improving both cleaning efficiency and tool manipulation precision.
Implementation Method 1
O-ring sealing
Implementation Method 2
rotation shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an insertion portion, the endoscope being configured to allow a treatment tool to protrude from the insertion portion. The endoscope further includes: a treatment tool elevator base configured to be elevated by rotation around a rotation shaft with respect to a direction in which the insertion portion extends; an operating portion configured to input operation of changing an angle of elevating the treatment tool with respect to the treatment tool elevator base; a wire configured to be connected to the operating portion; a first member including a first engagement portion; and a second member including a second engagement portion and a wire connection portion to be connected to the wire, the second member being configured to: be supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the rotation shaft; and transmit the operation to the treatment tool elevator base.