Endoscope Grip Knob Ergonomics for Single-Handed Visual Field Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing oblique-viewing endoscope requires both hands to operate, making it difficult to change the visual field direction due to the need for rotational operation of the proximal handle with one hand while gripping the rotary wheel with the other.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring a grip part that extends along the insertion axis with a rotational operation member between the grip part and the insertion unit, allowing for single-handed operation by incorporating a finger placing portion and finger rest portions on the rotational operation member, which rotates the insertion unit around the axis, improving ergonomics and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the proximal handle is rotated with one hand while gripping the rotary wheel with the other hand, then the visual field direction can be changed, but the operability deteriorates because both hands are required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotary wheel and proximal handle into a single integrated operation unit. The rotary wheel is positioned on the distal end side of the proximal handle, allowing the user to grip both components with one hand and perform rotational operation smoothly without requiring two hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a finger placing portion and finger rest portions on the rotary wheel, creating new contact points for the finger. This dimensional addition to the operation interface allows for more precise and comfortable single-handed operation, improving operability without increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotary wheel is added to the proximal handle for rotational operation, then the visual field direction can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary wheel is integrated with the proximal handle as a unified structure. The rotary wheel is positioned on the distal end side of the proximal handle, and both components are gripped together with one hand, allowing visual field adjustment without adding separate independent components that would increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation unit serves multiple functions: the proximal handle provides gripping and stabilization, while the rotary wheel enables rotational adjustment of the visual field direction. This multi-functional design allows a single structure to perform both positioning and adjustment operations.
3Ease of operation
If both hands are used for operation, then the control precision can be maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds finger rest portions and a finger placing portion to the rotary wheel, creating additional contact dimensions for the finger. This allows the user to maintain control precision through optimized finger placement and contact points while operating with one hand, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing control reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an endoscope of which operability in changing a visual field direction can be improved.A grip part includes a first flat surface portion that is formed on a part of an outer surface of the grip part and that is parallel to a direction of an insertion axis, a knob includes a finger placing portion and a pair of finger rest portions, and the finger placing portion is provided at a position facing the first flat surface portion in the direction of the insertion axis in a case where the knob is positioned at a reference position used as a reference of a position relative to the grip part in the direction around the axis.