Endoscope Fluid Supply System Removing Umbilicus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional endoscope devices are limited by the umbilicus, which restricts the physician's range of motion during procedures due to its physical presence and the need to navigate around water connectors, making it cumbersome to perform procedures like ERCP, ELS, and EMR.
Innovation Solution
The umbilicus is redesigned to be more flexible or removed, with the liquid source being integrated into a wearable device or modularly attached to the endoscope handle, allowing greater freedom of movement without sacrificing functionality by eliminating the need for physical connections between the scope and the tower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conventional umbilicus with water connectors is used, then the endoscope can be connected to the tower for fluid supply, but the physician's range of motion is restricted and the procedure becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the water connector and associated umbilicus components from the endoscope system. The fluid supply function is extracted and replaced by an alternative mechanism (such as a portable fluid source or modified connection system) that does not require the traditional umbilicus, thereby eliminating the physical barrier to physician movement while maintaining fluid delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the fluid supply function from the traditional umbilicus structure. By segmenting the system into independent components (endoscope, portable fluid source, alternative connection), the rigid umbilicus configuration is eliminated, allowing the physician to move freely while fluid supply remains functional through modular connections
2Ease of operation
If the umbilicus is made more flexible, then the physician's mobility is improved, but the physical presence and complexity of the umbilicus structure remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes the umbilicus structure from the system rather than attempting to make it more flexible. The fluid supply function is achieved through alternative means that do not require the umbilicus, thereby eliminating the source of complexity while maximizing physician mobility
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 design enhances user mobility and comfort during endoscopic procedures by allowing unencumbered movement and reducing the physical barriers created by the umbilicus, improving the ease and range of motion for the physician.
Implementation Method 1
the pump comprises a peristaltic pump
Implementation Method 2
the liquid source comprises a compressed gas canister to cause a fluid to flow from the reservoir into the at least one lumen
Implementation Method 3
the liquid source comprises a condenser configured to extract liquid from an atmosphere and dispense the liquid into the reservoir
Implementation Method 4
a gas source configured to pressurize the reservoir in response to operation of the control interface
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments described hereby may separate one or more functionalities/components provided via the tower in order to alleviate the physical barrier created by the umbilicus and reduce the need of the umbilicus to connect to the tower. For example, the liquid source may be worn by the user (e.g., physician) or the liquid source may modularly attach to the endoscope, such as to the handle of the endoscope. Accordingly, several embodiments described hereby may improve user experience such as by giving the user greater freedom of movement without sacrificing functionality. Some embodiments provide a source and means of using water without requiring the umbilicus to physically attach to the tower, improving range and ease of motion for a user by removing the need to navigate about a water connector.