Endoscope Operation Unit Grip Tactile Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Oblique-viewing endoscopes fail to allow practitioners to easily ascertain and maintain the vertical direction of the observation image displayed on the monitor, leading to difficulties in aligning it with the monitor's vertical direction during procedures.

Innovation Solution

The operation unit features a grip part with distinct flat and curved surface portions, a dome-shaped proximal end, and an inclined surface, allowing practitioners to easily identify the vertical direction and maintain stability while gripping, along with a cable insertion portion to prevent external cable contact issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the insertion unit and image pickup unit are integrally rotated with rotation of the rotational operation member, then the visual field direction can be changed, but the vertical direction of the observation image on the monitor cannot be maintained constant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual field direction change capabilityVSAvoidvertical direction stability of observation image

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscope system is divided into functionally independent rotational components: the outer pipe rotates with the operational member to change visual field direction, while the inner pipe and image pickup unit remain fixed relative to each other to maintain vertical direction stability. This segmentation allows independent control of visual field orientation and image orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner pipe acts as an intermediary structure that decouples the rotation of the outer pipe from the image pickup unit. It provides a stable mounting platform for the image pickup unit, preventing it from rotating with the outer pipe while still allowing the outer pipe to rotate freely for visual field direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If no vertical direction indication is provided on the grip part, then the structure remains simple, but practitioners cannot easily ascertain the vertical direction of the observation image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical direction identification easeVSAvoidgrip part structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different surface portions of the grip part are given different tactile characteristics (flat vs. curved surfaces) that serve as vertical direction indicators. These tactile cues allow practitioners to identify the vertical direction through touch alone, without adding visual displays or complex mechanical indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The grip part's own structure provides the vertical direction information through its tactile features. The flat and curved surface portions inherently indicate vertical orientation, eliminating the need for external indication systems or additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cable insertion portion is not provided, then the structure remains simpler, but external cables may contact patients or practitioners causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable contact safety hazardVSAvoidoperation unit structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable insertion portion is extracted as a separate, dedicated component on the operation unit. This allows cables to be inserted and secured in a controlled location away from the insertion path, preventing contact with patients or practitioners while maintaining structural integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable insertion portion acts as an intermediary structure that provides a safe interface for cable connection. It positions cables away from hazardous areas through its specific placement and structural design, preventing direct contact between cables and patients or practitioners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230165435A1Operation unit and endoscope

Publication Date: 2023.06.01 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

There are provided an operation unit that allows a practitioner to easily ascertain a vertical direction of an observation image output from an image pickup unit and displayed on a monitor and an endoscope including the operation unit.An operation unit is connected to a proximal end side of an insertion unit of an endoscope, and the insertion unit is provided with an optical system and an image pickup unit picking up an image of light passing through the optical system. The operation unit includes: a grip part that extends in a direction of an insertion axis of the insertion unit; a first flat surface portion that is formed on an outer surface of the grip part at a position on a top side in a vertical direction, extends in the direction of the insertion axis, and is perpendicular to the vertical direction in a case where a direction which indicates a top and a bottom of an image formed from image pickup signals output from the image pickup unit, among directions perpendicular to the direction of the insertion axis, is defined as the vertical direction; and a second flat surface portion that is formed on the outer surface of the grip part at a position on a bottom side in the vertical direction, extends in the direction of the insertion axis, and is perpendicular to the vertical direction.