Endoscope Extensible Work Channel Lateral Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes are unsuitable for minimally invasive procedures in the duodenum due to limited pivoting space, making it difficult to orient the optical unit and work channel in a lateral position, and are complex and expensive to manufacture, with sterilization challenges leading to bacterial contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A work channel arrangement with a flexurally elastic and extendable design that allows the distal end to be oriented orthograde or laterally, using a guiding device to deflect the work channel exit, enabling minimally invasive surgical treatments in both directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional prograde endoscopes are used, then the endoscope can be inserted into the body cavity, but there is not enough pivoting space in the narrow duodenum to orientate the optical unit and work channel in a lateral-facing position
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope head is designed with a pivotable optical unit and work channel assembly that can dynamically change orientation between prograde and lateral-facing positions. This dynamic configuration allows the endoscope to adapt to different spatial constraints in the duodenum, providing both sufficient pivoting space and versatile orientation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an additional degree of freedom by enabling the optical unit and work channel to pivot from the longitudinal axis into a lateral orientation. This dimensional change allows the endoscope to access and operate in the narrow duodenum cavity by utilizing lateral space rather than requiring extensive longitudinal pivoting room.
2Ease of operation
If endoscopes with side optics are used, then imaging and treatment in the duodenum area is optimized, but the devices are very complex and expensive to manufacture and difficult to sterilize
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is designed with a universal head assembly that can pivot to provide both lateral-facing orientation for duodenum procedures and prograde orientation for other applications. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized duodenoscopes, reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized imaging and treatment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is divided into modular segments including a pivotable head assembly, optical unit, and work channel that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces complexity, and facilitates sterilization by allowing separate processing of components while maintaining the optimized lateral-facing capability for duodenum procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If endoscopes with side optics are used, then lateral imaging and treatment is enabled, but sterilization is too material fatiguing for the sensitive devices
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope incorporates flexible, biocompatible coating layers and protective films on sensitive components that are specifically designed to withstand repeated sterilization cycles without degradation. These protective layers shield the sensitive lateral-facing optical and mechanical components from sterilization damage, maintaining reliability while preserving the lateral-facing capability for duodenum procedures.
4Area of stationary object
If laterally facing endoscopes are used, then space utilization in the duodenum is optimized, but navigation in the body is rather difficult requiring more lateral space
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope features a dynamically adjustable head assembly that can pivot between lateral-facing and prograde orientations. During navigation through the body, the endoscope can maintain a prograde orientation for easy navigation, then pivot to lateral-facing orientation when needing to utilize lateral space in the duodenum, combining both navigation ease and space utilization optimization.
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
The solution allows for flexible and safe minimally invasive surgical interventions in the duodenum by enabling the work channel to be extended and deflected, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and improving navigation and applicability.
Implementation Method 1
the work channel (10) is designed to be flexurally elastic at least in sections and extendable relative to the endoscope (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A work channel arrangement of an endoscope for guiding medical tools and/or for the through-flow of media. The work channel arrangement has a work channel which is flexible at least in part and extensible relative to the endoscope and which can be moved from a first position, in which the work channel outlet is oriented in the axial direction of the endoscope head, to a second position in which it is extended in the distal direction relative to the first position and in which the work channel outlet is or can be deflected, by means of a guide mechanism, to a predetermined lateral or rearward direction.