Ultrasonic Endoscope Fiber Offset Structure to Prevent Cable Rubbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ultrasonic endoscope's narrow insertion part causes interference between components, leading to damage of the light guide fiber due to the bracket's configuration, which offsets the fiber, causing rubbing and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic endoscope incorporates a radial type ultrasound transducer with a bracket that supports the ultrasonic cable, featuring a pressing portion with a tapered pressing surface to gently offset the light guide fiber, reducing overlap and stress, and a cylindrical base member to support the transducer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the light guide fiber is made to abut on the distal end of the bracket to offset it, then the interference between the light guide fiber and ultrasonic cable is reduced, but the light guide fiber may be damaged due to rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
A pressing portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the bracket and the light guide fiber. This pressing portion has a pressing surface that gently presses the light guide fiber to achieve offset configuration without direct rubbing against the bracket, thereby preventing fiber damage while maintaining the offset effect
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing portion with its pressing surface acts as a cushioning element that is positioned beforehand to support and guide the light guide fiber. This prevents direct contact and potential damage between the fiber and the bracket's distal end, cushioning the fiber against harmful rubbing forces
2Length of moving object
If the bracket is positioned closer to the distal end, then the distal end hard part length is shortened and kinematic performance is enhanced, but the light guide fiber may be damaged due to increased rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion serves as a protective intermediary that enables the bracket to be positioned closer to the distal end without compromising fiber safety. It mediates the interaction between the bracket and fiber, allowing the bracket's distal positioning while preventing direct rubbing damage to the fiber
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the pressing portion presses the light guide fiber against the pressing surface, then the fiber is offset from the bracket body portion, but the fiber may be damaged due to excessive pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion is designed with a specific pressing surface that provides localized, controlled pressure only where needed to achieve offset configuration. This localized pressing action avoids excessive force that could damage the fiber while still achieving the necessary offset from the bracket body portion
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 minimizes damage to the light guide fiber, reduces the insertion part's diameter, and enhances kinematic performance by allowing the bracket to be positioned closer to the distal end, thus shortening the distal end hard part length.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide fiber that is inserted into the insertion part and guides illumination light to the illumination window
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic endoscope provided with a radial type ultrasound transducer in a distal end part of an insertion part
Data Source
AI summary
A pressing portion is disposed on an inner peripheral surface of a base member, and has a pressing surface against which a pressed portion of a light guide fiber is pressed, and the pressing portion is configured in such a manner that a body portion of the light guide fiber is disposed at a position away from a cable support portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis direction by pressing the pressed portion against the pressing surface.