Endoscopic Guide Channel Flexible Narrowing for Laser Probe Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic instruments with laser probes face issues of uncontrolled movement due to the flexibility of fiber leads, leading to unwanted oscillation of the laser beam during tissue removal, especially when the laser head's cross section is larger than the guide channel.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic instrument with a guide channel featuring a flexible narrowing section that can change its diameter, allowing secure alignment and fixation of laser probes with varying cross sections, using a deformable inner wall component or a spring element to prevent unwanted movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fiber lead is fixed in the handle, then the laser probe can be guided through the hollow shank, but the laser probe oscillates within the hollow shank due to flexibility of the fiber lead
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible narrowing element is introduced into the guide channel that can adapt its shape. This element has a flexible outer contour that allows it to be deformed radially outward by the laser probe during insertion, and then returns to its original shape to secure the laser probe in place, preventing oscillation while allowing initial passage
Solution Approach 2:
The narrowing element transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that changes shape during operation. It is deformed radially outward when the laser probe is inserted, allowing the probe to pass through, and then returns to its initial configuration to secure the probe, providing adaptive fixation rather than rigid constraint
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guide channel has a large inner cross section, then laser probes with larger cross sections can be guided, but laser probes with smaller cross sections oscillate due to excessive freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible narrowing element creates a dynamic fit within the guide channel that adapts to different laser probe sizes. When a laser probe is inserted, it deforms the element radially outward, and the element's elastic recovery provides securing force that prevents transverse oscillation regardless of the probe's cross-sectional dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The clear diameter of the guide channel is dynamically changed by deforming the narrowing element radially outward during laser probe insertion. This temporary expansion allows various sized probes to pass, followed by elastic recovery that creates secure fixation, thus adapting the guide channel's effective dimensions to match different probe sizes
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 design ensures accurate alignment and stable operation of laser probes, reducing vibrations and improving tissue removal efficiency by securely fixing the laser probe, particularly beneficial for sidefire laser probes with larger cross sections.
Implementation Method 1
the section of the inner wall forming the narrowing, or the component forming the narrowing, is so deformable on account of its flexible or elastic design, that the size of the narrowing, and thus also the clear diameter of the guide channel may be changed
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic instrument includes a shank (2) having at least one guide channel (4, 4′) for a laser probe (8), and a flexible narrowing provided in a section of the guide channel (4) connecting to its distal end. The flexible narrowing allows a clear diameter of the guide channel (4, 4′) to be changed in at least one direction.